This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at http : //books . google . com/|
Digitized by
Google
U S 2.^5-01 > iS.i
^arbarU College librarg
^^j/i
crcuZy
X
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
:\
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
.«E^^:^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Quarterly Publication of the His-
torical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
1906 — 1908
Volumes I — III
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
INDEX
Volumes I-III inclusive
Adams. Henry T., I, 55.
Adams, John Q., t 36. 68, 71, 86, 88; II.
8, 9f 10, 1$. 107, 112, 11$.
Alexandria (Va.), II, 59, 62, 82, 83, 86,
87, 90.
Alleghanies, III. 18.
Allison. Dr., Ill, 58.
Amelia Islands, II, 108.
America, IL 71.
America (Crawford's), Statue of, I, 45,
49. See Liberty.
America (Power's), Statue of, I, 33, 35,
39. 40, 44. 46, 53. 57.
American Bonds, II. 58, 59.
American Frencn Debt, II, 58.
Amsterdam, II, 72.
Anderson, Col. John, II, 108.
ArcambaL Madame, II, 20.
Archer, Dr., Ill, 54.
Archer, William, III, 71.
Arkansas River, III, 18.
Austin, , II, 100.
Backus, Mr., II. 83, 85, 86, 87.
Baldwin, Henry, 11^ 29, 3^, 112.
L,'lII, 88.
(1832), I, 89.
tates, I, 86.
2.
30.
, 55. 57. 66, 67, 82.
. 62, 63. 64, 71, 78.
t8. 49. 54. 57-
(print), HI, 84.
[print), III, 84.
o. 25, 28, 29: III,
, 89, 9-2-
.16.
nd), II. 54-
15. 17.
Boulogne, l2r., lA, 62, 63, 64, 80. 88, 89.
Brabant (France). II. 73.
Brooke, Rev. J. T., Ill, loi.
Brooinneld, Henry, II, 61.
Bru%vn, James. II, 8.
Brown.>on, Tonn, III, 18.
Buchanan, James, I, 41, 43, 44. 5o> 57-
06, 1 07,
98.
2; II. 7p
C.L.J.),
Cj
ci 34; HI.
75, 80.
Catawba Wine. I. 38, 39, 47, 55.
Chambersburg, 111., L 72.
Cherokee Meeting, II, 20.
Chilton, Thomas, I, 79.
Cincinnati (Ohio), I, 3, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73.
77, 78; II, 17, 100, 104, 107, 120;
III, 69. 86, 100.
Cincinnati— Calendarium Florx, III, 25,
26, 27, 28.
Cincinnati, Climate of. III, 11, 12, 13, 14.
Cincinnati, Condition of. III, 29, 30, 31.
Cincinnati Chronicle, II, 20.
Cincinnati, City Electors of, II, 120.
Cincinnati, Diseases of. III, 32-60, i-iv
(app.).
Cincinnati Gazette, II, i8- III, 100.
Cincinnati, Geology of. III, 7-»o-
Cincinnati, Notices concerning, III, 27.
Cincinnati, Temperature of. III, 12-23,37.
Cincinnati, Topography of, IIIf^S» 6.
Cincinnati Weather, Table of. ill, 23, 2K,
Cincinnati Western General Advertiser, I,
29.
Cincinnati, Winds of. III, 20, 21.
Clark, Cieorge Rogers, I, 5, 6, 12, 21.
Clark, Col. William. Ill, 76.
Clay, Henry, I, 68, 70, 71, 8<, 92; II, 7,
«e wnA i/irt lie »*0J III, 84, 87.
C
c ..
C ; III, 89.
C 49. 52.
C II, 119.
C , 117.
C
C
C
C
111
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Craigie, William, II, 66, 90, 91, 92.
Crawford, Thomas (the sculptor), I, 10,
Craw/ori 'v^fuiam H., I, 68, 69. 70; II,
15, 107.
Crawfordsville (Ind.), II, 15.
Curner, , I, 14.
Gushing, Caleb, I, 49.
Cutler, Manasseh, It, 43, 45, 54, 77, 90.
Cutler & Sargent, II, 44, 45.
Dallas, A. J., Ill, 98.
Dallas, George M., II, 33, 34, 112.
Danville (Ky.), I, 6, 21.
Darwin, Dr., Ill, 53, 56.
Davis, Jefferson, I, 49.
Davis* Straights, III, 22.
Dawson, Moses, I, 73; II, 109 (letter).
Dayton (Ohio), III, 17.
DeBarth, Mr., II, 68, 70, 74, 75, 89.
DeBarth, Coquet & Co., II, 70, 74-
Deer Creek, III, s, 6, 10, 30.
DeFrondvillc, Bergent, II, 81.
D'Hebecourt, Mr., II, 88.
Delaware river. III, 15, 16.
DeLormerie, Mr., 11^ 77.
DeSoisson, Jean A. C., II, 57, 90.
Dick, Dr., Ill, 53.
Dixon, Mr., II, 61.
Douglas, Stephen A., I, 36, 52.
Drake, Daniel, III, i, 27.
Duer, William, II, 44, 45, 59, 61, 66,
7^-77* 83, 84, 87, 90, 91-
Duncan, Joseph, I, 94.
Dunker^ue, France, II, 81.
Duportail, Genl., II, 59.
Eagle Creek, Kv., I, 22.
Edwards, Dr. Abraham, III, 17.
Edwards, Ninian W., II. 112, 113.
Eichbaum, Mr. (of Pittsburg), II, 36.
Elkhorn river, I, 22.
Bate, David K., II, 105, 117; III, 80.
Este, Dr. (of Hamilton). Ill, 48.
Evans, Samuel, letter of, III, 87, 90.
Eve, Statue of, I, 53.
Everett, Mr. (Edward), I, 34, 35, 39, 40,
44, 49, 52, 57.
Ewing, Nathaniel, III, 86, 87.
Ewing, Thomas, III, 97.
Falls of Ohio, I, 5.
Farmain, Mr., II, 57.
Farquhar, Dr., Ill, 58.
Fayette County (O.), Ill, 88.
Findlay, James (Genl.), I, 67, 68. 74 (let-
ter), 76, 78, 79, 85, 90, 91, 92, 94, 96;
II, 8, 10, II, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20-29, 31,
32 f 34-36, 100, 1 01, 104, 1 08, 109,
116, 120; III, 69, 71, 74-779 80, 96.
Findlay, Mrs. James, II. 101-103.
Findlay, James (s. of Wm.), I, 86, 96.
Findlay, James K., Ill, 86, 92.
Findlay, Mrs. Jane (wife of James), I,
83: II, 11; III, 91, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99.
Findlay, John (Col.), I, 71, 78; III, 91.
Letters of, I, 68; II, 26, 36, 112.
Findlay, Jonathan, I. 83; II, 8.
Findlay, Nathan, III, 91.
Findlay, Samuel (s. of Wm.), I, 73.
Findlay, Samuel (s. of John), II, 36.
Findlay, Samuel B., Ill, 82.
Findlay, William, I, 77.
Letters of, I, 79, 83, 86; II, 27, 30, 32,
14; III. 98.
Findlay, W. N., III. 91.
Finley, James (s. of Thos.). I, 96.
Finley, Thomas, III, 99.
Letters of, I, 68. 77, 90. 95; II, 29, 35,
36.
Finley & Van Lear, II. xo6.
Flint. Royal, II, 45, 66, 75, 77* 9©.
Florence (Italy), I, 33, 43-
Fort Cumberland, II, 83.
Fort Washington, III, 29.
Fort Wayne (Ind.) Land Office, II, 8.
Fort Wayne (Ind.), Ill, 17.
Franklin, Dr. Benjamin, III, 21.
Franks & Co., II, 88, 90.
French Emigrants, II, 61, 78, 89.
Gallipolis ((3.), II, 89, 90.
(iarrard, Mr., I, 26.
(lazley, James, II, no, 112.
(linn, William, II, 116.
Goforth, Dr., Ill, 40.
Coodenow, John M.. II, 21.
(iould, Mr., I, 57.
Gouy d*Arsy, Marquis of (Louis Marthe),
II. 48, 49, 54, 57.
Governments (Europe), I, 40.
(jovernment (U. S.), I, 34, 39.
(jraham, . II, 20.
Graham, George^ III, 72.
(irant, Moses, I, 28, 29.
Grant, Samuel (Capt.), I. 24, 25, 27, 28.
Great Crossings of the Elkhorn, 1, 22.
Great Miami river, I, 12; III, iv (ap.).
Great Kenhawa river. Ill, 16.
Green, Duff, II, 13.
Gregory, , I, 29.
Gregory,' Sherlock S., letter of, II, 31.
Guibert, Francois T., II. 48, 49, 54-
Guion, Isaac, II, 82-84, 87, 89, 90.
Gwynne, Major, II, 23.
Hamilton County (O.), II, loi.
Hammond, Charles. II, 10, 114; III, 85.
Harris, George W., Ill, 92.
Harrisburg (Fa.), I, 73.
Harrisburg (Pa.) Convention, II, 119.
Harrison, Dr., Ill, 60.
Harrison, Benjamin, III, 77^^ 7^-
Harrison, Elizabeth Irwin, 111, 93<
Harrison, Mrs. Jane Findlay, III, 70, 76,
79. 96, 98, 99.
Harrison, John C. S., Ill, 71. 7^, 73-
Harrison, Mrs. J. C. S., Ill, 72, 73-
Harrison, John Scott, III, 74. 75, 76, 77*
93.
Harrison, William Henry. II. 23, 26, 99.
107, 109. 11,0, 113, 114. 116. 120;
III, 67, 69, 70, 81-91. 95, 97, 98-
Letters of. ll, lOo, loi, 102, 104, 107.
108, 115, 116, 117; III, 7i» 77-
Funeral Obsequies, III, 100-2.
Harrison. Mrs. (Wm. H.), II. 101-3.
Harrison, William Henry. Jr. —
Letters of. III, 74, 75. 76, 80, 81.
Harrison, Mrs. W. H., Jr., Ill, 98.
Hastings, , I, 25.
Hartford^ Conn., II, 48, 54.
Havre, France, II, 62, 65, 76.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, I, 58.
Hayward, Elijah, I, 76, letter; II, 20, 26.
ileath, Maj. James P., II, 35-
Heath, Genl. (Bro. of James). II, 35.
Hendricks, William, II, 22. n8; 111, 73.
Hinkston, Capt., I, 4.
Historical & Philosophical Society of Ohio:
Annual Report, 1906, I, 100.
Annual Report, 1907, II, 124.
Annual Report, 1908, III, 104.
Hulbert (of Mass.). II, 104.
Hulsc, E.. Ill, 69.
Indian Department (U. S.), IL 19*
Ingham, Samuel D., I, 81, 82; III, 73.
Irwin, Capt., I, 16.
Irwin, James R., Ill, 77,* 99*
Italy, I, 41.
Jackson, Dr., Ill, 38.
Jackson, Andrew, I, 68, 75, 76, 78, 80, 81,
82, 89; II, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24,
26, 35, 36; ni, 81.
IV
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Iackson Party, I» pi, qj.
adcsonians (of Cin*ti), II. 120.
efferson, Thomas, III, 16.
ennings, David, II, 114.
ennings, Jonathan, letters of, II, 113,
114.
Jcsop, Thomas P., I, 67, letter; II, 36;
III, 100.
Johnson, Col. Richard M.. II, 26, 27, j8,
32. Z^x 107; in, ji, 82, 83.
ohnson, Col. Robert, I, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28.
ohnson, Col. , III, 71.
ohnston, F., II, 102.
ones, Mr.. Ill, 92.
ones. G. W., letter of. III, 88.
ones, William, II, 105.
TVIlllMUl, XL, iW^.
udges of U. S. Supreme Court, II, 115.
._, Mr., I, 57.
Kendall, Amos, I, 84; III. 87.
udg(
Lello
Kennedy, Col. Thomas, I, 13, 16.
Kenton, Simon, I, 13.
Kentucky, I, 3, 6, 2;^, 24, 30; III, 6, 9,
;s, II, 28,
»i, 64, 84, 90.
12.
06.
93» letter.
ue of, I, 45, 49.
h 10.
0. I. 4, 21.
12, 15, 17, 18.
(, 39. 40, 44. 47.
5. 17-
03.
III. 69.
I, I.
, 20, 24; II, 28;
74. 88; II, 33;
).
II. 99.
etter.
49. 8s, 92, 96;
6, 112, 115.
94. 95. 96.
etter.
Mcl.cansboro, 111., I, 69.
McPherson, Col. James. II, 18, 19.
Mad river, I, 12, 20; III, 17, iv (app.).
Mahaes, Jean, F. N., II, 48, 49, 50, 54,
Mallet.' Mr., I. 58.
Mamie. Mr^ II, 89.
MansAeld, Jared, III, 12.
Marietta, (O.), II, 78, 81, 92.
Marnesia, Mr., II, 75.
Marshall. Dr. V. C, II, 20.
Mason, Genl. A. T., II, 109.
Mathews, Father, I, tg.
Maury, Mr. (l'. S. Consul). I, 70.
Meason, George, III, 88.
Meigs, Capt., 1
Meigs, Genl. R. J. Jr., II
Memorial to Ohio Co., II, 89.
r.>..n.
86, 92.
Metcalf, Andrew, II, 13, letter.
Mexico, II, 12.
Mexican Embassy, II, 112, 113.
Miami Country. 11, 70. 80.
Miami of the Lake, III, 17.
Miami River, II, loi; III, 74.
Michilimackinac, III, 18.
Mill Creek, I, 5; II, 102; III, 5.
Miller, Dr., III. 46.
Miller James, II, 9. letter.
M " - ^ " " - ' —
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
.\1
.\J
M
M
M
M
N
V
\
X
N ,
12. 20, 23^ 2A, 25, 28,
Xcwcll, Samuel, letter of.
Sew Orleans, II, 85.
New York City, I, 76.
II, 27, 3^-
IS.
83. 86.
in. 15.
New York (State),
/l, 61,
. 78. 8s; II.
32, 120.
II, 18.
76, 81, 82, 83,
86: III, 83.
New York Central Railroad. I, 54-
New York Evening Post, I, 54-
Noble, James, II, 22.
North Bend (Ind)., Ill,, 100.
Notices Concerning Cincinnati, III, 1-5.
.\ullifiers, I, 90.
Officers of U. S. Mint, Salaries of, II, 32.
Ohio (State). I, 75. 76, 91; II. ", 118-
120; III. 88.
Ohio Company, II, 43. 74. 89, 90, 91, 92.
Ohio Company Purcli.i.sc, II, 101.
(^hio Legislature, I, 75; II. 7.
Ohio River, I, 3. 12, 21, 23, 27; II, 43,
48, ss; III, 5, 6, 9, 15, 16, 19. 24.
Ohio River Flood, III. 74-
Oiiio State Journal, I, 75. 76.
Owen, Thomas J., II, 21.
Oxf.nd (Vessel), I, 53.
Pan.'. ma Cons[re8s, I, 73.
Pun.'iina Mission, II, 10.
PanPtna Question, II, 115.
Pari^. France, II. 48. 54, 58, 64, 71, 72.
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
III.
Paris Agreement, II, 48-54.
Paroquet (Bird), III, 16.
Patterson, CoL Robert, I, 12, 25, 27.
Pendleton, Nathaniel G., Ill, 69.
Pennsylvania, II, 7, 20; III, 83. 84, 85,
87.
Pennsylvania Canal, I, 73; III, 98.
Philadelphia, I, 6; II, 105.
Philadelphia Temperature, III, 12-15.
Piatt, John H., II, 105.
Pierce, Mr. (of R. I.). II, 118.
Pierce, Franklin, I, 33-39, 43. 44» 46, 47.
58.
Pierce, Joseph, III, 17.
Pike. Mrs. Z. M., III. 71-73.
Pittsburgh, I, 3, 23, 79; II, 81, 89;
98.
Playfair, William, II, 48-50, 52, 54. 55,
66, 67, 72 letter, 90.
Poinsett, J. R., II, 113.
Pollock, James T., II, 23.
Ponciattica, Marquis of, I, 38, 39, 47.
Porter, David Rittenhouse, III, 87, 88.
Powell, Col. A. H., II, 117, n8.
Powers, Hiram^ Letters of, I, 33-59.
Prather & Smiley, II, 102.
Pre-emption Right, Transfer of, II, 43.
President's (Andrew Jackson) Proclama-
tion, II, 36.
Prince, Capt. Joseph, III, 7.
Prince, William, 11, 102.
Pugh, George E., I, 33-35, 44, 49.
Putnam, Genl. Rufus, II, 75, 77, 80, 88,
90.
Letters of, II, 82, 83, 84, 87.
Rameau, Mr., II. ss-
J, 84, 88.
, 37'
1x6.
I. 33; HI, 83.
, 87, 88.
>, 62, 63.
4. 58.
119, 120; III,
St. Clair, Arthur, letter of, II, 22.
St. Didier, Antoine, II, 48, 49, 54.
St. Genevieve, III, 16.
St. Laurence, III, 22.
Salem (O.), I, i.
Sandusky (O.) Road, II, 19.
Sargent, John, II, 116.
Sargent, Maj. Winthrop, II, 43, 4S» 54,
75, 76; III. i8, 19.
Schoepf, Dr., Ill, 47.
Schul2e, J. A., I, 7k; II, 119.
Scioto Company (of America), II, 46, 49-
^ . 54, S5, 57, 63, 66, 71-73, 82, 90, 91.
Scioto Company (of Europe), II, 58, 62,
66, :ri, 78.
Scioto River, II, 43, 48, 55, 59, 62; II,
10^.
Scotch-Irish (of Penn.), II, 11.
Scott, Genl. Winfield, III, 100.
Secretary of Finance (U. S.), II, 60, 63,
81.
S.cretary of War (U. S.), II, 86.
.Stlman, Dr., Ill, 58.
iro.iiinole War, II, 109.
Shawnees, I, 1 5.
Short, Mr. (Peyton), II, 103; 111, 74.
Silliman, Dr., 11, 102.
Simonson, James, III, 88.
Sloo, Thomas, Jr., I, 69, 72; II, 107.
Sloo, Mrs. Thomas, Jr., I, 74.
Smith, , II, 106.
Smith, Ensign, I, 18, 20.
Smith, James, II, 100, 101.
Smith, Genl. John Spear, I, 95.
Smith, Genl. Samuel, I, 93; II, 32.
Snodgrass, William, III, li (app.).
South American Governments, II, 11.
Southern Wilderness Road, I, 6.
Spalding, Dr., Ill, 50.
Spanish Posts, II, 109.
Spawnee Town, 111., I, 72.
Spencer, O. M., II, 116, letter.
Springfield (O.), Ill, 89.
Springmill, III, 13, 14.
Stafford, Mr.. I, 17.
Staunton (O.), Ill, iv (app.).
Steel, John, II, 31, 35.
Sterrett, Capt., I, 29.
Steubenville (O.), II, 17.
Stewart, Andrew, II, 33, 34; III, 87, 97.
Stony Mountains, III, 18.
Storer, Bellamy, II, 117; III, 82.
Stucker, Capt. Jacob, I, 15-17; 23-25, 27-
29.
Sumralls Ferry, II, 84, 87.
Sunday Mails, I, 78.
Sutherland, Joel B., II, 33.
Swan, Maj., Ill, 18.
Swan, Caleb, II, 99 letter. (See errata.)
Swearengen, Isaac, III, 76.
Sydenham, Dr., IlL 49.
.Symmes, Judge J. C., Ill, 7.
Tax on Teas, etc., II, 29.
Taylor, Genl. James. II, 104, 105.
Taylor, W. H. H., Ill, 82, 100, 101.
Temperance, I, ^9, 43.
Terre Haute, Ind., II, 16.
Thiebout. Mr., II, 89.
Thomas, Mr., II, 102.
Thomas, Judge Jesse B., I, 71.
Thompson, Hon. John, II, 21.
Thory, Mr., II, 88.
Todd, James, III, 88.
Todd, Robert, I. 20.
Torrence, David, III, 89.
Torrence, George P., I, 69, 70, 73, 84;
III, 81, 82, 86, 88, 89, 90.
Letters of, II, 8, 10, 11, 18, 23, 30.
Torrence, Toseph, III, 88.
J'orrence, John, I, 84.
Torrence, Nancy, III, 74.
Torrence Papers, I, 65; III. 67.
Trevor, John B., Ill, 84, letter.
Trimble, David, I, 74.
Trotter, Col. James, I, 13.
Troussie, Mr., II, 73.
United Sutes Banks, I, 86.
United States Government, I, 87-89.
United Stotes Political Condition, I, 37.
Van Buren Partyj I, 91.
Van Buren, Martin, I, 92, 93; II, 17, 28;
III, 83, 84, 86-88.
Vance, Joseph, I, 74; II, 8, 33-
Vance, Samuel C, 11, 8.
Van Home, Thomas B., Ill, 96.
Vanleer, John, II, 82.
(Ky.) -
xoi, 102.
Vevay (Ky.), I, 30.
Vincennes (Ind.), II, 10
Virginia, I, 6: 11, 83.
Virginia Anti-Jackson Convention, II, 117.
Virginia Reserve, IL loi.
Volney, Constantin F. S., III. 8, 17, 21,
22.
Wabash Expedition, I, 12.
Wabash River, I, 21; III, 18.
VI
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Wade. David, II, 21, 2$.
Walker, Benjamin, II, 65-67, 78.
Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, I, 54.
Ward, Capt. (James ?), I, 23.
Ward, Mr. (bro. of Mrs. Thomas Craw-
ford), I, 54.
Washington (D. C), I, 34, 39, 40. 43t 67-
' 9, 89: II,
69.^ 70, 74-76, 79
_ ., ,. . 104, 107.
108, 112-117; III, 21.
Washington, George, I, 7; III, 94.
WT— u: — .-_ '-— rge, Statue of, I, ti, 57.
onal Republican, II, 18.
[II, 74. 81.
I, 38, 92; III, 80.
SUtue of, II, 4i> S3. 54-
outh of Buffaloe, 11, 84.
[I, 108.
y (U. S.), II, 4^. 62, 90.
rd of annual visitors, I,
III, 91. 9a.
86.
Wcver, Mr.,
Withering, Dr.. Ill, 53.
Wolcot, Dr. Alexander, II, 21
Wolf, George, III. 84.
Youghiogana River, Ii, 87;
Zane, Isaac, I, 18.
[08.
II, 8.
of. III,
III, 88.
VII
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
ERRATA
Volume I, page 63, Contents VII, strike out ** James'* and insert ** Samuel"
Findlay.
Volume II, pages 95, 99, strike out ** G. S. Wau ** and insert ** C. Swan."
Volume III, pages 67, 84, 86, strike out «* G." and insert "J." B. Trevor.
VUl
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
J.J^fxS7^).
I I
The Quarterly Publication of
the Historical and Philosoph-
ical Society of Ohio
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Vol. I...I9O6...N0. 1
JANUARY-MARCH
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
OFFIOSRS FOR 1906-7.
JOSEPH WII^BY, Prbsidbnt.
FRANK J. JONES, Vick-Pkbsident.
HOWARD C. HOLUSTER, Vick-Presidknt.
CHARLES T. GREVE, Corrbsponding Sbcrbtary.
GERRIT S. SYKE^S, Recording Sbcrbtary.
AI^BERT H. CHATFIELD, Trbasurbr.
MISS I^. BELLE HAMLIN, Librarian.
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS,
DAVIS L. JAMES,
MERRICK WHITCOMB, > Curators.
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW,
CHARLES A. LIVINGOOD,
The meetings of the Society are held in its room in the Van Wormer
Library Building, Burnet Woods, at three in the aftemeon of the first
Saturday of each month from October to May.
The library is a free public library, open to visitors daily, except
Sunday, from nine A. M. to five P. M.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
The Quarterly Publication of the Mstqri-
cal and ^PhUosophical
Society of Ohio —
Vol. I...I9O6...N0. J
JANUARY-MARCH
WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE
torical and Philosophical Society of Ohio.
; I N N A T I
Cincinnati, Ohio
Digitized by VjOOQIC
The King' maouscripts have been arranged and are ready for con-
sultation. During' the year 93 volumes have been bound.
The Society has received from Mrs. A. W. Whelpley a rare collec-
tion of autographs numbering' about 500. Included among' these are
many original drafts of poems, prose writings, speeches, etc., and many
letters from eminent men and women. The mention of sonle of these
papers will suffice to show their interesting character.
Original manuscript writings of :—
^'Defenders*' by T. Buchanan Read; "Queen Esther" by Harriet
Beecher Stowe; Preface to "Fudge Doings" by Donald Q. Mitchell;
Preface to "Sparrowgrass Papers" by F. Cozzens; Magazine article by
Alice Carey; Preface to "Idlewild" by N. P. Willis: Dedication to
"Hidden Path" by Marion Harland; Response by General W. T. Sher-
man "Our Sister Societies of the Armies E^st and West", etc.
Original manuscript poems of:
J. G. Whittier, J. R. Lowell, W. P. Brannan (Van Dyke Brown), W.
D. Gallagher, T. B. Aldrich, Fitz James O'Brien, Lucy Larcom, etc.
Manuscript letters of:
Ruskin, Rembrandt Peale, Bierstadt, Dickens, Mendelsohn,
Agassiz, Longfellow, Wendell Phillips, Jacob Burnet, John Mitchell
celebrated letter to Archbishop Hughes), Edwin Forrest, James Mon-
roe, Madison, Jefferson, Hamilton, W. H. Harrison, Pierce, Jackson,
Clay, Lincoln, Garfield, Hayes (letter relating to contest between Lin-
coln and Douglas, 1859, and in reference to an address which Lincoln
was to deliver in Cincinnati), and letter of McKinley, etc.
A paper bearing date Steuben ville, Jefferson County, Ind., Dec. 17,
1798, addressed to the speaker of the House of Representatives, North-
west Territory, Cincinnati, requesting that the name of Colonel David
Vance, the present representative for Jefferson county, be i^aced
among the ten that are to be forwarded to Congress as candidates for
the Legislative Council. Signed, Francis Douglas, Sheriff.
A quaint old paper, dated Jan. 17, 1705-6, written by William Tit-
comb to Lieut. Col. Thomas Noyes.
The appointment of John Howard of the parish of Christ Church,
London, as a stamper of Vellum, Parchment, etc., printed on paicli-
ment and dated the 24th day of January, 1761.
The gift from Mrs. Whelpley which will be most valued by the
Society is the autograph copy of the Amnesty Proclamation issued by
President Abraham Lincoln, Dec. 8, 1863. The accompanying letter of
Senator John Sherman gives an interesting account of his interview
with Mr. Lincoln when he obtained this historical document for exhibi-
tion and sale at the Great Western Sanitary Fair held in Cincinnati
in 1863.
An addition to the library of 6 manuscript volumes and various
letters, accounts, and other papers, has been received from Mr. Davis
L. James. Three of these volumes contain an unbroken record of the
meetings of the members of the Western Academy of Natural Sciences
102
Digitized by
Google
of Cincinnati, from April 25, 1835 (date of its organisation) to April
24, 1854; Vol. 4 coven the Treasnrer's report for years 1860-71; and tlic
two remaining: yolnmes are catalogues of the books owned by that
society.
Mrs. C. W. Baker has continued her raluable work of gathering
early data pertaining to this locality and has added two manuscript
volumes to the six heretofore given the Society by her. They contain
tombstone inscriptions found in Fulton, North Bend, South Lebanon,
graveyards and the graveyards of the Columbia Baptist church, Deer
Creek Baptist church, Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian church and the
Wesleyan (Cumminsville), accompanied by descriptions of these differ-
ent churches and many facts concerning early settlers in their localities.
The following additions to the Cat>inet have been made during the
year:
A fac-simile of the Autographs of the Officers of State, Members
of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Ohio, 1860-
61. The interesting fact is noted by the donor that among its members
were one who became President of the United States; one. Governor of
Ohio; one, Justice of the Supreme Court; two. Cabinet Officers; eigh*
teen. Generals and Colonels; one, U. S. Senator; and fourteen. Members
of Congress. Given by Gen. B. R. Cowen.
An attractive oil painting of the old Deer Creek Baptist church—
the handiwork of the donor, Mr. J. L. Niles.
A design of the prisons of Salisbury, N. C, and Charleston, S. C,
with the signatures of the officers who were in Salisbury prison, Dec,
1861. Three of these were Cincinnati men. Given by Mrs. Catherine
E. Bense {widow of Major James Bense of 6th O. V. I.)
Two books containing a collection of photographs of former resi*
dents of Cincinnati, photographed by Hoag A Quick. Purchased and
given by eight members of the Society: Messrs. C. T. Greve, J. W.
Bullock, F. J. Jones, W. A. DeCamp, F. B. Wiborg, J. R. Callahan, and
H. M. Levy.
Six framed photographs by Hoag A Quick. Given by Mr. Joseph
Wilby.
A photograph of 62 Longworth street in 1883. Given by Mr. G. C
James.
A view of the upper portion of the Ohio river. Given by Mrs. G.
B. Parkinson.
A collection of 150 envelopes used during the Rebellion in 1860-1.
Given by Mr. Joseph Wilby.
One stock certificate of the old Marietta St Cincinnati Railroad
Company, 1870. Given by Mr. J. V. B. Scarborough.
Old-fashioned box in the form of a small trunk, formerly belonging
to Judge H. C. Whitman, used for holding private papers. Given by
the B^kiel A Bernheim Co.
I/. BSLLS Hamun,
Librarian.
103
Digitized by
Google
DONORS TO THE LIBRARY.
Vols. P&m.
Academy of History and Antiquities 6
American Jewish Historical Association 2
Berlin Stadt Handels-Hochschule in Coin 1
Boston City Hospital 1
Boston City Register Department 3
Bunker Hill Monument Association 1
Chicag'o City Statistician 1
Cincinnati —
Art Association 1
Chamber of Commerce 1
City Auditor 1
Children's Home 1
Law School 3
Medical College of Ohio I
Museum 12
Ohio Mechanics Institute 1
Orchestra Association 12
Public Iribrary 8
University of Cincinnati S3
Water Works Commission 1
Colorado College 2 2
Colorado Historical Society 1 1
Colorado Scientific Society 3
E^ez Institute
Indiana University
Illinois State Historical Society
Institutio 6eol6gico de Mexico
Iowa State Historical Society 1'
Kansas State Historical Society
Lake Mohonk Conference 2
Louisiana Historical Society 1
Massachusetts Historical Society 2
Medford Historical Society 4
Military Order of the Loyal Legion, U. S.—
California 18
Iowa 10
Michigan 3
Minnesota 20
New York 62
Wisconsin IS
104
Digitized by
Google
Vols. Pun.
Milwaukee Public Museum 2
Minnesota Historical Society 3
Missouri EUstorical Society 2
Missouri State Historical Society
Newberry Library
New Hampshire Historical Society
New Haven Colony Historical Society
New Jersey Historical Society 1
New York Charity Organization Society
New York Institute for the Deaf and Dumb
New York Public Library 12
North Carolina Agfricultural Experimental Station
North Dakota State Historical Society
Oberlin College
Ohio-
Agricultural Experimental Station 1
Board of State Charities 3
Diocese of Southern Ohio 1
State Archaeological and Historical Society 3
Ohio Society of New York 1
Pennsylvania Prison Society 1
Rhode Island Historical Society 8
Royal Society of Canada 1
St. Louis Mercantile Library Association 1
Syracuse Public Library 1
Texas State Historical Society 1
United States-
Bureau of American Ethnology 3 1
Bureau of Education 1 1
Bureau of U. S. Forestry (Philippines) 2
Coast and Geodetic Survey 1
Department of Commerce and Labor 14 IS
Department of the Navy 1
Department of the Interior 2
Department of State 1 1
Department of War 10 63
Interstate Commerce 35
Library of Congress 3 3
Smithsonian Institution 4 1
Grovemment Printing Office 4
University de Toulouse 10
University of California 1
University of Toronto 1 1
William's Directory Co. (Cincinnati) 1
Wisconsin Natural Historical Society 1
Wisconsin State Historical Society 2
105
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Worcester Pnblic Library 3
T&le University 2 2
Anderson, Mrs. E. M 1
Anonjmous 7
Ajrres, D. C. 1
Cameflrie» Andrew 1
Conroy, A. J 2
Davies, Junius 1
EtfSekiel A Bemheim Co 3
FsirchUd, Mrs. Charles S 2
Ferrier, Francis 1
Glover, E. W 5
Hallowaj, F. O 1
Hartmann, Mrs. P. H 2 31
James, G. C 1
Jones, W. St. J 248
Keys, Miss M. E 2
Orton, Edward , 1
Peaslee, J. B 1
Perkins, W. H 1
Smith, M. P. W 1
Strickler, W. M ^ 1
Thayer, G. A. Old newspapers, 2 1
Valerio Alfrido 1
Vatterh, K 6
BHEMBER&
Vols. Psfli.
Anderson, L. N 1 12
Baker, Mrs. C. B 1 newspaper, 4 2
BHss, E. F 25 52
Bullock, J. W 1
Chatfleld, A. H 10 14
Cowen, B. R 1
Dabney, C. W 1
Green, 8. A 6 9
Goepper, E 1
Hamlin, h. B 5 9
James, D, h 13
Parkinson, Mrs. G. B 12
WUby, J 1
106
Digitized by
Google
PRESIDENTS REPORT.
Daring the jear that closes todaj there have been aereral events in
the life of jonr Societj worthy of mention.
Miss Jane C. Neare has three times expressed her interest in the
Societj bj substantial gifts. At the last annual meeting jour Presi-
dent reported a gift from her of pne hundred dollars to the E* H. Apple-
ton Fund. In June she gave us one thousand dollars, toward a new
fund, to be called ''The Halsted Neave Endowment Fund", in memory
of her tirother; and again in October she sent us another thousand dol-
lars for the same fund.
For its growth from small beginnings to its present condition, your
Society owes a large sense of obligation to the generous support of such
friends as Miss Neave.
At the last annual meeting Mrs. T. Lr. A. Greve found it necessary,
on account of continued absence from the city, to decline reelection as
Curator. Mrs. Greve had served the Society long and faithfully; her
interest in our work was much appreciated, and her withdrawal from
the Board much regretted.
In March the Board adopted a set of rules governing the use of the
Society's books, pamphlets and manuscripts.
Tour President suggests that these rules, which are spread upon
our minutes, be printed with our Constitution and By-laws.
Mr. Erasmus Gest, for .many years one of our life members, pre-
sented to your Society last April approximately six hundred books,
which form a valuable addition to our library. The book plate of the
Society has been placed in each volume of this gift of Mr. Gest*s, but
by arrangement between him and your President they are permitted to
remain in the library of Mr. Gest's house, back of Newport, Kentucky,
covered by insurance in the name of The Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio. It seemed best not to go to the expense of moving
these books to our present quarters in the Van Wormer Library Build-
ing. Upon our return down town, as we hope to before many years,
these books would have to be moved again.
Probably the most important work that has recently been accom-
plished, has been the cataloguing of the books in our library, by our
107
Digitized by
Google
Lribrarian, Miss Hamlin, and a special cataloguer, who has been
engaged for over seven months. Fuller reference to this work is con-
tained in the L<ibrarian's report.
There was begun during the year a quarterly publication of original
historical matter from our library and collections, the selection and
publication of which was left to a committee of your Board. The first
publication was "The Personal Narrative of William Lytle'*. The
second was "Letters of Hiram Ppwers to Nicholas Ix>ngworth, E«sq.,
1856-1858".
At the request of the Massachusetts Historical Society, your Presi-
dent, by direction of the Board, cooperated with other Historical Socie-
ties, by addressing our Senators and Representatives at Washington,
in bringing- atx>ut action by Congress which has resulted in preserving
the frigate Constitution.
Between last Christmas and New Tear's Day, your President at-
tended the meeting of the American Historical Association at Balti-
more, Md.
Our agreement with the Board of Directors of the University of
Cincinnati, under which we now occupy part of the Van Wormer
Lribrary Building, was made November 8, 1899; and by its terms is to
continue in force until the 31st day of December, 1909, and thereafter
until terminated by notice given by either party to the other. That
notice must be in writing, and given one year before the date therein
specified for such termination. Our agreement to remain in our present
quarters, therefore, may be said to expire in three years. I referred to
the shortness of the balance of our term in my last report. I again
refer to it, not only to remind you that notice to terminate our ten year
tenancy here must be given two years from now, but also to furnish
this opportunity of expressing again my conviction, which grows from
year to year, and is shared, I am sure, by all members of your Society
who attend the monthly meetings of its Board, that the interests of
this Society require a removal to some location in the city more access-
ible and convenient not only for the meetings of the Board, but for use
by members of the Society and the public. I believe that move should
be made as soon as our contract with the University will permit it.
I also t>elieve that the means will be forthcoming to make that move
possible. It behooves all of us, however, to bear in mind and plan for
that removal.
J06SPH Wii:,BY,
December 3, 1906. President
108
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
ACXX)UNTANTy REPORT.
Cincinnati, November 30, 1906.
To the President and Members
of The Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio*
In accordance with inatructions, examination has been made of the
books and accounts of Thb Histokical and Phiix>sophicai« Socnnry
OF Ohio for the year ended November 30, 1906, and we beg to report as
follows:
We submit as a part of this report the following schedules:
8CHEDUI/E "A"--8tatement of Assets and Uabilities at date of
closing, November 30, 1906.
SCHEDULE ''B'*— Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for
year ended November 30, 1906.
These schedules are supported by the following exhibits:—
Exhibit "1"— Statement of Investme;its and Savings Deposits.
Exhibit "2"— General Fund.
Exhibit "3"— Building Fund.
Exhibit '*3"— Endowment Fund.
Exhibit ''4"— I/ife Membership Fund.
Exhibit "4"— JnUus Dexter PubUcation Fund.
Exhibit "5"— Elisabeth H. Appleton Memorial Fund.
Exhibit ''5"— Margaret Rives King Fund.
Exhibit '*6"— Colonial Dames Fund.
Exhibit "6"— Binding Fund.
Receipts and Disbursements have been audited and Sound correct.
Cash account has been reconciled and securities as shown duly
examined and found on hand as represented.
The Statement of Assets and Liabilities as shown, in our opinion,
represents the true financial condition of the Society at date of closing,
November 30, 1906.
Respectfully submitted,
GUY H. KENNEDY,
Public Accountant and Auditor,
109
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(Schednl* **A'*)
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Dceembef I, I906,
Assets.
Cash in Bank $1,363.44
Cash in hands of Librarian 14.19
$ 1,377.63
Central Trust Sl Safe Deposit Co., (Interest on
deposits)
4.6S
Investments and Savings Deposits
19,104.42
Fee of 108 West Eighth street
..........
29,000.00
!#. H. Appleton, Income account (Debit balance).
2.79
Hatsted Neave, Income account (Debit balance).
1.97
UaWUtiM.
Total,
4.76
$49,491.46
General Fund,
Investment Account,
$ 716.25
Building Fund,
Principal
t(
16,657.64
Endowment Fund,
4«
<(
12,320.00
Life Membership Fund,
Investment
•♦
5.037.13
Julius Dexter
Publication Fund,
t«
4t
850.00
Julius Dexter
Publication Fund,
Income
i«
125.64
E. H. Appleton
Memorial Fund,
Investment
it
4,045.90
Halsted Neave, '
Principal
«(
1,000.00
(* (t
Investment
4*
1,000.00
Margaret Rives
King Fund,
(t
t<
6,545.00
Margaret Rives
King Fund,
Income
««
224.99
Colonial Dames Fund,
Investment
«<
200.00
•< « (<
Income
«
20.05
Binding Fund,
Income
«
38.72
c< tt
Investment
• <
710.14
Total,
$49,491.46
110
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND
DISBURSEMENTS.
For Y«tf Boded Nofvcmbcr 30^ I906,
Dec. 1, 1905, Balance in Bank $ 421.81
In hands of Ubrarian 15.69 $ 437.50
Receipts.
Memberahip Dues, 1903 $ 10.00
" •• 1904 30.00
" 1905 80.00
" 1906 630.00 7S0.00
INCOMB FKOM iMVBSTMBZfTS:
General Fund $ 30.00
Ufe Memberahip Fond 268.50
Dexter Publication Fnnd 36.00
Etf. H. Appleton, Memorial Fund.... 190.50
ICargaret Riyea King Fnnd 264.00
Colonial Damea Fnnd. 12.00
Binding Fnnd 30.00 831.00
DoifATiONS:
To Endowment Fund $ 20.00
To E. H. Appleton Memorial Fund. 100.00
To Binding Fund 25.00 145.00
hm MBMBSaSHIPS:
Joa. WUby $100.00
J. W. Bullock 100.00 200.00
M. M. Robertson— Building Fund In-
come from rent to Oct. 1, 1906 800.00
HalatedNcave 2,000.00
Total ReceipU, 4,726.00
To be accounted for^ $5,163.50
111
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Disbursements.
Books bought— General Fund $ 170.05
General Expenses 138.96
Stationery 14.80
Printing 36.00
Card Catalogue Expense 467.70
Postage 25.31
Insurance 97.50
Salaries — Librarian and "Janitor,
Heat and Light" 1,050.00
IMVBSTMBNTS:
From Life
Membership Fund ..$ 289.00
From E. H. Appleton
Memorial Fund 144.50
From Halsted
Neave Fund 1,000.00 1,433.50
E. H. Appleton Memorial Fund, ac-
count Purchases and Expenses 150.42
Halsted Neave Fund, account Pur-
chases and Expenses 1.97
Margaret Rives King Fund, account
Purchases and Expenses 115,66
Colonial Dames Fund, account Pur-
chases and Expenses 11.40
Binding Fund, account Purchases and
Expenses 72.60
Total Disbursements^ 3,785.87
Cash in hand of Librarian 14.19
Cash in Bank $1,363.44 $1,377.63 .$5,163.50
ii:
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(BzMbM "1-)
INVESTMENTS AND DEPOSITS.
December f, I906,
GmnSMAh Fukd: InTestments. Deposits.
10 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy.
Co. (cost) $ 716.25
Lm Mbmbbkship Fund:
83 shares Cincinnati Street Rwj.
Co. (cost) M2S.75
Part interest in $2,000 C. A O. Rwy.
Co. 4>^ per cent bonds (cost).... 314.38
4 shares Cincinnati St. Rwy. Co.
(cost) 289.00
Central Trust A Safe Deposit Co.
(deposit 3 per cent) 8.00
Juuus Dkxtsr Publication Fund:
12 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy.
Co. (cost) 834.00
Central Tmst & Safe Deposit Co.
(deposit 3 per cent) 16.00
E. H. Applbton Msmorial Fund:
$3,000 C. H. A D. Rwy. Co. 4ji per
cent bonds (cost) 2,882.50
15 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy.
Co. (cost) 822.00
Part interest in $2,000 C. A O. Rwy.
Co. 4ji bonds (cost) 314.37
Central Trust A Safe Deposit Co.
(deposit 3 per cent) 27.03
Halstsd Nbavb Fund:
$1,000 Gold Bond, C. U A N. Rwy.
Co. (cost) 1,000.00
Maroakvt Rivbs King Fund:
$4,000 C. H. A D. Rwy. Co. 4}^ per
cent bonds (cost) 4,512.50
7 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy. Co. 481.25
Part interest in $2,000 C. A O. Rwy.
Co. 4ji bonds (cost) 1,551.25
Coix>NiAL Dambs Fund:
4 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy. Co.
(cost) 200.00
Binding Fund:
10 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy.
Co. (cost) 680.63
Central Tmst A Safe Deposit Co.
(deposit 3 percent) 29.51
Totals, $19,023.88 $80.54
113
Total.
$ 716.25
5,029.13
8.00
834.00
16.00
4,018.87
27.03
1,000.00
6,545.00
200.00
680.63
29.51
$19,104.42
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(BxMbM '*2")
GENERAL FUND.
Rrcbipts and Tramspbrs:
Due* 1903 $ 10.00
** 1904 30.00
•* 1905 80.00
•• 1906 640.00 $ 760.00
Cincinnati Street Ry. Co.— Dividends 30.00
Transfer from Life Membership Fund—In-
come Account 180.04
Interest on Endowment Fund Loaned to Build-
ing" Fund, Transferred from Endowment
Fund 615.00 $1,585.04
DlSBURSBMXMTS AND TkANSPKRS:
Books Bonipht 170.05
Oeneral Expenses 138.96
Stationery , 14.80
Printingr 36.00
Card Catalogue Expense 467.70
Postage 25.31
Insurance 97.50
Salaries— I/ibrarian and Janitor. 1,050.00
Dues— Librarian 10.00 2,010.32
Excess Disbursements and Transfers, 425.28
Dec. 1, 1906— Balance transferred to Building' Fund,
Income Account 425.28
114
INVESTMENT ACXX)UNT-
Dec. 1, 1906— Balance invested as per Balance Sheet. 716.25
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
4»
.36
.64
5.00
Tnamier to General Fund ..5.00
Priadpal Accoont.
Dec 1, 1905, Credit baUnce 12,300.00
May 8, 1906, K. D. Hinkle, Cash donaHon 20.00
Dec. 1, 1906, Credit balance as per balance sheet.. 112,320.00
115
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(BxMMt *'4'*)
LIFE mSMBERSHIP FUND*
Income Account.
Rbcbipts:
Cincinnati Street Rwy. Co., dividends. $ 255.00
C. A O. Rwy. Bond interest 13.50
Central Trust A Safe Deposit Co., interest .54
Life Memberships 200.00 $ 469.04
DiSBURSBMBinrS:
Investments — 4 shares Cincinnati Street Rwy.
Co. (cost) 289.00
Balance transferred to General Fund 180.04 469.04
Investment Account*
Dec. 1, 1905, balance invested 4,748.13
Purchases — 4 shares Cincinna^ Street Rwy. Co.
(cost) 289.00
Dec. 1, 1906, credit balance as per balance sheet 5,037.13
(BzhlMt '*4")
JULIUS DEXTER PUBUCATION FUND.
Income Account.
Dec. 1, 1905, credit balance $ 88.56
Receipts:
Cincinnati Street Rwy. Co., divi-
dends $36.00
Central Trust A Safe Deposit Co.,
interest 1.08 37.08
December 1, 1906, credit balance as per balance
sheet $ 125.64
Investment Account.
December 1, 1906, balance invested as per balance
sheet 850.00
116
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(BxhMt **«**)
ELIZABETH R APPLETON MEMORIAL FUND*
Income Account.
Rkcbipts:
J. C. Neave, donation $ 100.00
Cincinnati Street Ry. Co., dividends 42.00
C. H. A D. Ry. Co., bond interest 135.00
C. A O. Ry. Co., bond interest 13.50
Central Trust A Safe Deposit Co., interest 1.63 $ 292.13
DiSBUKSBMBNTS:
Books purchased 150.42
Cincinnati Street Ry. Co. stock, investment 144.50 294.92
Dec. 1, 1906, Excess Disbursements as per balance
sheet 2.79
Investment Account.
Dec. 1, 1905, Balance invested 3,901.40
Purchases, 25 shares Cincinnati Street Ry. Co.
(cost) 144.50
Dec. 1, 1905, Total as per balance sheet 4,045.90
(ExhlMt **8")
MARGARET RIVES KING FUND.
Income Account.
Dec. 1, 1905, Credit balance $ 76.65
RKCBIPTS:
Cincinnati Street Ry. Co., dividends $ 21.00
C. H. A D. Ry. Co., bond interest 180.00
C. A O. Ry. Co., bond interest 63.00 264.00
340.65
DiSBUKSBMBNTS:
Books purchased 115.66
Dec. 1, 1906, Credit balance, as per balance sheet.... 224.99
Investment Account.
Dec. 1, 1906, Balance invested, as per balance sheet, 6,545.00
117
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(BxUMt **«*')
COLONIAL D AMIES FUND.
lacone Aeeovot.
Dec. 1, 1905, Credit baUnce 119.45
Cincinnati Street Rwy. Co., dividends 12.00
31.45
DlSBUKSBMKMTS:
Books pnrchaaed 11.40
Dec 1, 1906, Credit t>alance, ms per t>alance sheet 20.05
lBV0StnMSt ACOOOBts
Dec 1, 1906, Balance invested as per balance sheet 200.00
BINDING FUND.
lacooM Aceoiwt.
Dec 1, 1905, Credit baUnce ; $ 54.92
RJKBIPTS:
CincinnaH Street Rwj., dividends $30.00
E. F. Bliss, donation 25.00
Central Trust A Safe Depoait Co., interest 1.40 56.40
111.32
DlSBUJtSBMBNTS:
Binding Expenses 72.60
Dec. 1, 1906, Credit balance, as per balance sheet 38.72
Aocovot.
Dec. 1, 1906, Balance invested, as per balance sheet 710.14
118
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CORPORATE MEMBERS.
Alms, William H.
Anderson, Davis C.
Anderson, Mrs. William P.
Ault, I4, A.
Baker, Mrs. Charles W.
Baker, Miss Phebe 8.
Balke, Rudolph F.
Battelle, John 6.
Brunswick, B. H.
Bumam, John M.
Caldwell, Charles E.
Callahan, John R.
Carew, Joseph T.
Cist, Charles M.
Compton, William C.
Cowen, Benjamin R.
Dabnej, Charles W.
Dandridge, Miss Mary E.
Davis, Blrs. Nathaniel Henchman
DeCamp, Walter A.
Duhme, Charles H.
Emery, Mrs. Thomas J.
Felter, Harvey W.
Foley, B. W.
Foster, Miss Anna H.
Foster, Wm. hytie
Forcheimer, Mrs. Frederick
Freiberg, Maurice J.
Gano, Mrs. John A.
Goepper, Edward
Greve, Charles Theodore
Greve, Blrs. T. h. A.
Hamlin, Miss L,. Belle
Harry, J. E.
Hollister, Howard C.
Holmes, D. H. J.
Holmes, John R.
Howe, Mrs. Andrew J.
Ingalls, M. E.
James, Davis L.
Kittredge, Edmund W.
K6ch, Felix J.
LfSws, Miss Annie
Lreaman, Mrs. Robert F.
I^vy, Harry M.
IfOngworth, Blrs. Nicholas
Ludlow, William S.
McDonald, Alexander
Miller, Griffin T.
Parkinson, George Bowen
Pendleton, Elliott H.
Procter, William Cooper
Procter, Mrs. William Cooper
RansohofiF, Joseph
Schmldlapp, J. G.
Shillito, Stewart
Storer, Bellamy
Strobridge, Nelson W.
Sykes, Gerrit S.
Taft, Chartes W.
Taylor, William W.
Voorheis, Albert B.
Whitcomb, Merrick
Wiborg, Frank B.
Wiborg, Mrs. Frank B.
Wilson, Obed J.
Wilson, Mrs. Obed J.
Winslow, Howard S.
Winslow, John F.
Worthington, Edward
Worthington, William
Wulsin, Lucien
119
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
LIFE MEMBERS*
Anderson, Mrs. Louise N.
Bliss, Bngene F.
Bullock, James W.
Chatfield, Albert H.
Chatfield, Mrs. Albert H.
Davis, Nathaniel Henchman
Davis, William Henry
Fleischmann, Julius
Fletcher, Miss Clara B.
Gest, Erasmus
Gibson, Mrs. William
Hurd, K. O.
Jones, Frank J.
Jones, Mrs. Frank J.
Livingood, Charles J.
Neave, Miss Alice
Neave, Miss Jane Caldwell
Procter, Harley T.
Storer, Mrs. Bellamy
Thomson, Peter G.
Vail, Henry H.
Walker, Mrs. Paul Francis
Wilby, Joseph
Woods, Harry F.
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
Adams, Charles Francis
Duro, Cesario
Foulke, William Dudley
Galbreath, Charles W.
Green, Samuel A.
Hayes, E. G.
Heath, William Mck.
Hoyt, Albert H.
Thwaites, Reuben Gold
Tyson, Philip T.
Warder, Reuben H.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Durrett, Reuben T. Venable, WiUiam H.
120
Digitized by VjOOQIC
AN ACT to IncorporMte the Historiad md Phltosaphtc^
Society of Ohio:
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Ohio^ That Benjamin Ta£Fan, John C. Wright, and Dr. John Andrews,
of Stenbenville; Arins Nye, and Dr. S. H. Hildreth, of Marietta; Apple-
ton Downer, Dr. T. Planner, and E. Bucking-ham, of Zanesville'
Thomas James, B. G. Leonard, and James T. Worthington, of Chilli-
cothe; Gustavns Swan, John M. Eklmiston, Alfred Kellcy, and Dr.
Piatt, of Columbns; Joseph Sullivant, of Franklinton; Dr. Cooper,
of Newark; R. H. Bishop, Thomas Kelley, and James McBride, of
Butler county; Dr. Cobb, Dr. Slack, N. I^ong^worth, John P.
Foote, and Timothy Flint, of Cincinnati; John Sloane, of Wayne
county; Jared P. Kirtland, of Trumbull [county]; Samuel Wheeler, of
Geauga county; Ebenezer Lane, of Huron county; and William Wall,
of Athens; and such other persons as may from time to time, become
members, shall be, and are hereby constituted a body corporate and
politic, by the name of Thb Historicai, and Phii<osophicai« Society
OF Ohio: and by that name they shall have perpetual succession; and
shall be capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded,
answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended, in
all courts and places whatsoever; and may have a common seal with
power to change or alter the same, from time to time; and shall be cap-
able of purchasing, taking, holding, and enjoying, to them and their
successors, any real estate, in fee simple or otherwise, and any goods,
chattels, and personal estate,- and of selling, leasing, or otherwise
disposing of the said real and personal estate, or any part thereof, at
their will and pleasure: Provided always^ That the clear annual value
or income of such real and personal estate, shall not exceed the sum of
ten thousand dollars: Provided, however, That the funds of the said cor-
poration shall not be used and appropriated to the purpose of banking.
Sec. 2. That the said society shall, from time to time, forever
hereafter, have power to make, constitute, ordain, and establish such
by-laws and regulations, as they shall judge proper for the election of
their officers; for prescribing their respective functions, and the mode
of discharging the same; for the admission of new members; for the
121
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
g-ovemment of the officers and members thereof; for collecting annual
contributions from the members, towards the funds thereof; for rege-
lating the time and place of meeting of the said society; for suspending
or expelling such members as shall neglect or refuse to comply with the
by-laws or regulations; and for the managing and directing the affairs
and concerns of the said society, Provided^ Such by-laws and regula-
tions be not repugnant to the Constitution and the laws of the United
States.
S9C. 3. That the officers of said society shall consist of a presi-
dent, two vice-presidents, a corresponding secretary, a recording secre-
tary, a treasurer, and five curates [curators], and such other officers as
the society may judge necessary, who shall be annually chosen, and
who shall continue in office for one year, or until others shall be elected
in their stead: that if the annual election shall not be held at any of the
days for that purpose appointed, it shall be lawful to make such election
at any other day; and that five members of the said society, assembling
at the place and time designated for that purpose by any by-laws or
resolutions of the society, shall constitute a legal meeting thereof.
Sbc. 4. That any five of the persons named in the first section of
this act, shall have power to call a meeting of said society for the elec-
tion of their officers, and the transaction of such other business as may be
necessary and proper, to carry into effect the design and objects of said
corporation, by giving two month's notice in some newspaper printed
at Columbus, of the time of such meeting: such meeting to be holden
at Columbus.
JAMBS M. BBLI^,
speaker of the House of Representatives,
SAMUEL R. MILLER,
Speaker of the Senate,
February 11, 1831.
29 Ohio Local Laws, 122.
122
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
/
^ ••/ .r,.v
I [
The Quarteriy Publication of
the Historical and Philosoph-
ical Society of Ohio
CINCINNATI OHIO
VoL II. 1907. No. I
JANUARY-NARCH
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Burnet fFoods^ - Cincinnati^ Ohio
OFFICERS
JOSEPH WILBY, President.
FRANK J. JONES, Vice-President.
HOWARD C. HOLLISTER, ' - - - Vice-President.
CHARLES T. GREVE, .... Corresponding Secretary.
GERRIT S. SYKES, Recording Secretary.
ALBERT H. CHATFIELD, - - Treasurer.
MISS L. BELLE HAMLIN, - - - Librarian.
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS, -
DAVIS L. JAMES,
MERRICK WHITCOMB, - - - 1- Curators.
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW,
CHARLES J. LIVINGOpD, -
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Quarterly Publication of the His-
torical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Vol. n, 1907, No. 2
APRIL-JUNE
Selections from the Gallipolis Papers,
Arranged and Edited by
THEODORE T. BELOTE,
Coionim] Dimes Fellow in Ohio Valley History, University of Cincinnati.
PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM
CINCINNATI. OHIO
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Entered as second-class matter June 12, 1906, at the post-office at Cincinnati,
Ohio, under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
Committee in Charge of Publication.
Charles T. Greve.
Merrick Whitcomb
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CONTENTS.
I. 1787, Oct. 29,
II. [1790]
III. 1
789-
Aug.
3.
IV. I
789.
Nov.
3.
V. I
789»
Nov.
29.
VI. I
789,
Dec.
8,
789,
Dec.
29.
790.
Jan.
25.
VII. I
789,
Dec.
31.
VIII. I
79o»
Jan.
1,
IX. 1
790.
Sept.
11,
X. 1
790.
Dec.
«7.
XI. 1
790.
Dec.
21,
791.
May
3.
XII. I
79o»
Mar.
9.
790.
May
I,
790.
May
28,
790,
May
31.
XIII. 1
790,
May
31.
790.
June
2.
XIV. I
795.
Dec.
17,
Transfer from Cutler & Sargent to
WiLUAM DUER.
Petition of Scoto Company to Con-
gress OF United States.
The Paris Agreement.
Bill of Sale.
Joel Barlow to Col. William Duer.
Joel Barlow to Col. William Duer.
Joel Barlow to Col. William Duer.
Joel Barlow to Col. William Duer.
Joel Barlow to M. Boulogne.
Joel Barlow to M. Boulogne.
Commission of Benjamin Walker.
William Playfair to Colonel Duer.
Joel Barlow to Benjamin Walker.
Joel Barlow to Benjamin Walker.
Letter of Rufus Putnam.
Letter of Rufus Putnam.
Letter of Rufus Putnam.
Letter of Rufus Putnam.
Isaac Guion to William Duer.
Isaac Guion to William Duer.
Petition of French Emigrants.
39
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Digitized by
Google
INTRODUCTION.
The documents printed in this number of the Quarterly were
selected from the GallipoUs Papers as the result of a study on the part
of the editor, the fruits of which will appear in his forthcoming mono-
graph concerning ''The Scioto Speculation and the French Settlement
at Gallipolis. ' ' The main facts connected with the above subject are
pretty well known to all students of American history, and to the gen-
eral reading public of Ohio. It is not proposed to give by means of
the documents herein printed a connected account of 'the Scioto tran-
sactions. But it is hoped that the contents of this number of the
Quarterly will serve to throw into relief certain of the more import-
ant phases of that affair; that they will present to the mind of the
reader a succession of pictures showing the various aspects of the
Scioto speculation at certain periods in its development. By giving
a few words of introduction of each document printed an endeavor
has been made to explain it and its relation to the series as a whole.
This method has been followed in preference to the more cumbersome
one of giving frequent annotations in the form of footnotes. It is
to be hoped that the explanation given will prove sufficiently full to
enable the documents to be read with understanding. Concerning
the docimients now printed it is perhaps well to say that vnth a single
exception, the petition of the French settlers to the Ohio Co., they
are all copies of the originals and not the original papers.
This collection of ''Gallipolis Papers," consisting of three vol-
umes, was given to the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio
by Robert Clark, John Marshall Newton and Eugene F. Bliss. The
material was collected principally by Mr. Newton, with the intention
of writing in full a history of the French settlement at Gallipolis, but
the work was unfinished at the time of his decease. Many of the
copies of both French and English documents, and the translations
of a large portion of the former, furnished to Mr. Newton, appear in
many instances to have been made without the requisite care, or by
persons not thoroughly versed in one or the other of the two lan-
guages. Subsequently, other French manuscripts in this collection
were transtated by Mr. Bliss, and the arrangement of the entire col-
lection was his work.
Theodore T. Belote.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
April 26, 1907.
3 41
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
I.
TRANSFER FROM CUTLER AND SARGENT TO WILLIAM DUER.
(G>P7 of a transfer from Cutler and Sargent to Col. Wm. Duer, the first docn
mentary evidence we have of the existence of the Scioto Company. October 27, 1787,
Cutler and Sargent completed negotiations with the Board of Treasury for nearly six
million acres of western lands. There were two contracts drawn : one for the Ohio
company, consisting of an absolute purchase of one and a half million acres, lying
between the seventh and seventeenth ranges of townships along the Ohio River ; the
second contract was drawn in the names of Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent,
for themselves and associates. It consisted of an option to purchase all the lands
lying between the Ohio and Scioto rivers and the seventeenth range of townships.
By the terms of the transfer here given, Cutler and Sargent, for themselves and as-
sociates, transfer to Col. Duer and his associates a half interest in their right of pre-
emption to the track of land last mentioned above. Cutler and Sargent and their
associates bound themselves to be jointly responsible with Duer and his associates for
|he profits and losses arising from the disposal of said tract, in Europe or elsewhere.
For document, Cf. Gallipolis Papers, I, 99. )
Whereas by the Resolves of Congress of the 23d & 27 th of July
last the Rev'd Manasseh Cutler & Major Winthrop Sargent for them-
selves & associates procured the right of Pre-Emption of a certain
tract of the Western Territory of the United States bounded as follows,
viz : *' A Tract of land bounded by the Ohio from the mouth of the
Scioto River to the intersection of the Western boundary of the Sev-
enth range of townships then surveying ; thence by the Said boundary
to the northern boundary of the tenth township from the Ohio, thence
by a due west line to the Scioto, thence by the Scioto to the
beginning." And whereas in pursuance of the Said Resolves the
Said Manasseh Cutler & Winthrop Sargent have on the 27th of
October instant, entered into a contract with the honorable, the board
of Treasury of the United States, as Agents for the Directors of the
Ohio Company of associates for the purchase of a certain portion of
the above described Tract of Land, bounded as follows ** Beginning
at the place above the Western Boundary Line of the seventh Range
of Townships laid out by the authority of Congress Intersects the
Ohio & extending thence along that River westerly to the place
where the western line of the seventeenth Range of Townships to be
laid out according to the Land ordinance of the 20th day of May one
thousand seven hundred & Eighty- five, would intersect the Said River
& extending thence Northerly upon the Western boundary line of the
seventeenth Range of Townships, so far as that a line drawn due
43
Digitized by
Google
East, to the Western boundary Line of the Said seventh range of
Townships will with the other Lines of the Said described Tract in-
clude One Million & a half acres of Land, Exclusive of certain
reservations as specified in the Deed. ' ' And whereas the Residue of
the General Tract as described in the act of Congress of the 23d of
July last remains wholly unappropriated & is subject to the disposal
of the Said Manasseh Cutler & Winthrop Sargent, who have accord-
ingly entered into a contract for the purchase of the same on the
27 th day of October Instant with the Honorable Board of Treasury
of the United States, describing in the Said Contract the Boundaries
of the Said Tract in the manner following to wit : ''Beginning at
the mouth of the Scioto on the Eastern Side thereof, thence running
along the Ohio to the place where the Western Boundary Line of the
seventeenth Range of Townships to be laid out according to the
Land ordinance of Congress of the 20th May 1785 : will touch the
Said River, thence running Northerly on the Western Boundary Line
of the Said seventeenth Range of Townships as far as the Western
line of the said Tract so as aforesaid contracted for by the Said Man-
asseh Cutler & Winthrop Sargent as Agents for the Directors of the
Ohio Company & their associates shall or may extend thence due
East to the W estem Boundary line of the Said seventh Range
of Townships, thence along the same to the Northern Boundary of
the Tenth Township from the Ohio, thence due West to the river
Scioto, & thence along the Said river to the place of beginning, be-
ing the whole of the Tract mentioned in the Resolution of Congress
of the 23d of July last, except what is contracted for by the Said
Manasseh Cutler & Winthrop Sargent as Agent for the Directors of
the Ohio Company, & their associates. ' *
Be it known, that it is this day agreed betwixt the Said Manasseh
Cutler & Winthrop Sargent, for themselves, & others their associates,
& William Duer of the State of New York for himself & others his
associates, that they the said Cutler & Sargent do for themselves &
associates, assign & make over to the said William Duer & his associ-
ates their Heirs & assigns one equal moiety of the tract last described:
Provided always that the Prospective Parties to this writing shall be
jointly & equally concerned in the disposal of the same either in
Europe or America as circumstances will but admit of ; and that they
share equally in any profit or loss which may accrue in attempting to
negotiate the Sale or Mortgage of the same, & in paying the purchase
money due to the United States.
44
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
And it is hereby agreed upon & understood by the pan;ies that the
property in the residue of the general Tract, as above described, is to
be considered as divided into thirty equal Parts or Shares, of which
Thirteen Shares are the Property of William Duer, in which he may
admit such associates as he may judge proper & thirteen shares in like
manner the property of the Said Manasseh Cutler & Winthrop Sar-
gent ; that the other four shares may be disposed of in Europe at the
Direction of an Agent to be sent there for the purpose of negotiating
a Sale or Loan as above mentioned ; & if not as disposed of : to be
equall divided amongst the Parties to this writing.
It is further agreed that the Said William Duer be & he hereby is
fully authorized & empowered to negotiate a Loan on, or Sale of the
above Lands in Holland or such other parts of Europe as may be
found expedient; with power of appointing an agent to act under
' him in the said negotiation, agreeably to such instructions as he may
receive for such purpose. — Provided always, & it is hereby understood
& agreed on betwixt the parties that the Said William Duer shall
from time to time (when so required) make known & communicate
to the Said Winthrop Sargent ik Manasseh Cutler the progress of the
Said negotiation & the correspondence & instructions relative thereto,
& it is also agreed betwixt the said parties that Royal Flint be & is
agreed on by the Said Parties, as the present agent for undertaking
the proposed negotiation under the superintendence of the said Wil-
liam Duer ; & that if from the Death of the said Flint or other cir-
cumstances it may be proper to appoint another agent for the purpose
above stated, the person so appointed shall be agreed on by the said
Manasseh Cutler & Winthrop Sargent & William Duer. And whereas
the whole benefit of the Pre-Emption of the Residue of the Land as
above described may depend on the punctual payment on the part of
the Ohio Company, of one moiety of the purchase money of the First
contracted for in their behalf, It is hereby agreed that the Said
William Duer shall (if it be found necessary) advance on account of
the Said contract One hundred thousand Dollars : provided that what-
ever sum so paid by the Said William I^ier shall exceed thirty thou-
sand dollars shall be reimbursed to the Said William out of the first
monies which the Said Sargent & Cutler may receive for sub-
scriptions.
For the performance of the different covenants in this agreement
the Said Manasseh Cutler & Winthrop Sargent & the Said William
Duer, bind themselves & their respective heirs & assigns the one to
45
Digitized by
Google
the other — & in Witness whereof have interchangeably set their
hands & seals this twenty ninth day of October one thousand seven
hundred & eighty seven.
f Manasseh C^^^^ Manasseh Cutler [Seal]
Witness I On th^26^th Nov. ^.^^^^^p ^^^^^^ |.g^ J
Edward Harris. p^^^-j
John West.
II.
(PETITION OF SCIOTO COMPANY TO CONGRESS OF UNITED
STATES).
(The date of this paper is uncertain. It was probably drawn early in 1790 when
Joel Barlow, the agent of the Scioto company at Paris, was urging Duer to make
arrangements with Congress, by means of which the company would be enabled to
put in possession of their land, the first French emigrants who arrived in America.
*' By this course alone," said Barlow, " could the company insure for itself the public
confidence of Europe, and at the same time the success of the Scioto speculation.'*
See No. V, Barlow to Duer, Nov. 29, 1789. For document Cf. Go/. Paps, III,
109).
Whereas the Honorable Congress of the United States of Amer-
have ceded to certain persons a Tract of land on the borders of
the Ohio & Scioto which the said persons ageed to pay in four
equal payments & to receive possession of one-fourth part of the
said tract of lands on the making of each of such pajrments & not
before which condition tho* perfectly just in itself presents the pur-
chasers from disposing of the lands in the manner which would be the
most advantageous for them & for that portion of the U. S. where
these lands are situated the purchasers who have subscribed the said
contract beg leave to lay before the Congress the following arguments
in favor of a change which the[y] demand to be made in the said
bargain.
The quantity of acres being 3 millions & the payment of each
fourth part amounting to the sum of 5 hundred thousand dollars it
would be necessary for the persons contracting to pay 500,000 dol-
lars before they can give possession of any portion of these lands &
they must give possession on the other hand before they can be paid ;
an advance therefore on their part would be necessary of so large a
sum which advance they are unable to make for that operation not
having forseen the necessity of it when the contract Was entered into
at which time they expected it might be possible to sell the lands
46
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
with sufficient rapidity or in sufficiently large portions to be enabled
to make such payments without advancing the whole on their own
patt.
The purchasers with this view sent over an agent to Europe with
powers to treat for the sale of these lands, he has in part succeeded
but is obliged to sell them in such small quantities & to promise pos-
session at so early a period that the company in America which
treated for the lands after having been at great expense in begin-
ning to people these lands sees itself under a necessity of abandon-
ing with great loss their plan of abandoning [establishing] the colony
which they have begun & which promises to be a very flourishing
one but what is still worse of abandoning it before the eyes of all
Europe, which are fixed on that establishment, unless it will please
the Congress to grant the following request.
ist. That the Payments specified in the Convention already made
be retarded — months.
2. That the Congress will give an order to their board of Treas-
ury or the persons to whom such duty may belong to make out Pat-
ents of property for separate portions of the said Lands upon condi-
tion of being paid at the rate of one dollar an acre in place of }i of
a dollar which is the price in paying 500,000 at a time which sum
shall be reduced to ^ of a dollar an acre when the whole amount of
dollars received shall amount to 500,000 then the land so given in
possession to continue at the price of one dollar an acre.
3d. That for the surety of such pa3rment a mortgage of { in
money shall be left on all lands so disposed of until the dollar an
acre shall be paid which shall always be within the space of 6 months
after the date of the Patent.
4 : That this agreement shall stand good for the term of 3 years
after which it shall cease & become null as if it had never existed ex-
cept for the portions delivered & sold according to the above articles.
[5th.] 4th. All the other articles to be the same as they are al-
ready contained in the cession of these lands.
Such arrangement with the variations which perhaps may still be
necessary would give that solidity to the affair which otherwise it
never can have as the parts of the transaction would bear the pro-
portion to each other that they ought whereas in their present state
they bear no kind of proportion & as a sale of a quantity sufficient
to pay 500,000^ at a time is not to be expected in Europe & he who
buys less can not be sure of getting possession.
47
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
III.
THE PARIS AGREEMENT.
(Translation of a copy of the agreement made in Paris August 3d, 1789, by
which the Scioto company was organized in Europe. See No. V, Barlow to Dner,
Nov. 29, 1789. For document Cf. Gal, Paps. Ill, Bk A, 40.)
Before the Counsellors of the King Notarys au Chalelet of Paris
the undersigned have appeared.
M. Louis Marthe, Marquis of Gouy D'arsy, Chevalier, High
Bailiff of the sword, Lieutenant General in reversion of the French
vextn, Chevalier of the Royal and Military order of St. Louis, ancient
assistant Colonel of the Cuirassiers, Member of the National Assem-
bly, living in Piiris Rue de Provence at the comer of the Faubourg
mons martre Parish St. Eustache.
M. Claude Odille Joseph Barond, Esquire, living in Paris, Rue
neuve des Petits Champs, Parish St. Roche.
M. Antoine de St. Didier, merchant, in Paris dwellin therein Rue
Royal Barriere Blanche, Parish St. Pierre de mons martre.
M. Jean Francois Noel Maheas Esquire, Comptroller of the Pay
Office of the domains of the King, living in Paris Rue des Vieux
Augustins, Parish St. Eustache.
M. Francois Troussier Guibert merchant in Paris dwelling there
Rue de Bretagne au Marais, Parish St. Nicholas des Champs.
M. Guillaume Louis Joseph, Chevalier de Caquelon Esquire dwell-
ing in Paris, Rue de Renard St. Messi, Parish St. Messi.
M. William Playfair, English Engineer, living in Paris, Rue Cul-
ture St. Catherine, Hotel de Lamoignon Parish St. Paul and
M. Joel Barlow Esquire, dwelling ordinarily in the City of liart-
ford, in the State of Connecticut, one of the United States of America,
being at present in Paris staying at the Hotel d'Angleterre, Rue Tra-
versiere Parish St. Roch.
The said Mr. Barlow has stated that several proprietors of lands
situate between the rivers Ohio and Scioto in America of the extent
of three millions or thereabouts of English arpens under the name of
acres, have the intention of selling the said lands and have authorized
Mr. Barlow to go into France to announce there and to negotiate this
sale at the good pleasure of the government ; that the favorable situa-
tion of their lands, following the testimony of several persons known
and named in a pamphlet translated from the English original, printed
48
Digitized by
Google
at Salem in America 1787, and the facilities which the proprietors are
disposed to give to the purchasers for the payment of the price, can
make as regards the acquisition of these lands an affair which promises
great advantages; that a single individual could with difficulty be
charged with it, to make all the payments and conduct all the opera-
tions; that it is only a society which could be in condition to unite
the resources and means proper to assure the success of so great an
enterprise — and that he proposes to the parties appearing, to take into
consideration this affair and this association, upon which there has
been made and agreed upon the following :
Article ist.
The aforesaid Marquis de Gouy d'Arsy, Barond, de St. Didier,
Maheas, Troussier, Guibert, le Chevalier de Caquelon, Plaifair and
Barlow associate themselves to make the purchase of the said three
millions or thereabouts of English acres of land situate between the
rivers Ohio and Scioto in America, likewise for the improvement and
the settlement to be made partially and progressively of the portions
of said lands which the said associates shall judge proper to place
under cultivation and under the scheme of the Company of the Scioto.
Article 2nd.
In order to begin to make the payments for the purchase and
opening, there shall be created by the Company^ at the good pleasure
of the Government eight thousand shares, which shall be numbered
from one to 8000, not payable to the bearer, but which on the
contrary shall be drawn up in the name of each proprietor of the sum
of a thousand livres payable at the times which shall be determined
after those taken for the payment of the price of this acquisition^ of
which the list set forth by the parties remains joined to the minute of
these presents — Each proprietor shall be able to negotiate them by an
indorsement to the profit and in the name of the purchaser, who shall
be bound to have himself registered, within three months from the
date of the indorsement to his profit, in the Bureau which shall be
established by the Company, upon a register which the cashier shall
hold to this effect. It is expressly agreed that this indorsement shall
not give to the purchaser any recourse of guaranty against the preced-
ing indorsers but solely against his vender and during a delay of three
months only, reckoning from the date of the said indorsement and
that mentioned thereof shall be made in the aforesaid shares.
3 49
Digitized by
Google
Article 3RD.
The said shares shall be drawn up and printed conformably to the
model which has been now shown by the parties, and which is at
their requisition joined to the minutes of these presents after having
been signed and marked by them in the presence of the notarys
undersigned, they shall be signed by two of the associates in the name
of the Company, the Cashier shall give receipts for them, they shall
be delivered by him only to the associates above named by inscribing
in the body of each share the name of him to whom it shall be given
and who shall have paid to the Treasury of the Company, the sum
total of each share. As to those of the associates who shall make
payments only at the periods fixed by this table hereto joined, these
shall be delivered to them by the Cashier and acknowledgment con-
formed to the model hereto joined and at the foot of which shall be
the receipts by the Cashier in accordance with the payments which
shall be made ; the interest which each share shall produce shall be
paid to the Treasury of the Company until the period of the ist of
April 1792 for which purpose there shall be made by the Cashier
mention of the time of each payment; and when a share shall be
entirely paid for, there shall be delivered to the Treasury an act con-
formably to the model ; above this interest at five per cent there
shall be profit for the proprietors of shares of iVoo on each share, to
reckon from the first of April 1792.
Article 4TH.
As soon as there shall be a quarter of the said shares which shall
have been taken by the associates, as making the payment, or the
bond, of which mention has just been rnade, the contract of purchase
of the said land shall be accepted by the Company of the said asso-
ciates who name the said Sirs, Maheas and Playfair to take d^s a
present en communication the powers of Mr. Barlow and confer with
him upon the clauses, charges and conditions of the sale, the price
and the times of payment, and to take all measures which will seem
to them useful and necessary, upon the condition on their part of
making their report at the earliest period possible, in the Assembly of
the said Sirs, associates.
It is stipulated that if it shall happen that any associate lets pass
a delay of three months, reckoning from this day without having paid
or made the bond to pay at least a twelfth of this quarter of shares,
the Company shall be canceled as far as he is concerned as if it had
50
Digitized by
Google
never existed, and without damages or interest at the expiration of the
said delay after a simple simimons which shall be made to him in the
name of the other associates, by due effort and diligence of the
Cashier, at the domicile chosen by this present compact, without
there being any need of having pronounced this cancellation in a
court of justice and in this event the other associates shall have the
liberty, either of agreeing that they alone shall compose the Company,
or of admitting to it another person, who shall be chosen by plurality
of voices by the deliberations in the assembly of the said Sir
associates.
Article 5th.
There shall be taken immediately after the signature of the con-
tract the measures necessary to put them in possession of the said
lands and to have of them an exact survey with an appraisement of
its value by the square league, or even by a township less considerable,
according to the nature of the soil and its situation more 'or less near
either to rivers or to townships already inhabited and cultivated in
order to be able to determine what price the acre could be ceded and
given up to the owners of shares who shall prefer to have lands by
themselves rather than remain associated with the other share holders
without there being the power to increase this valuation among the
proprietors except by reason of clearings, improvements, plantations,
enclosures, buildings, betterments which shall have been made at the
expense of the Company after the said valuation of the lands of
which the shareholders wish to be put into possession.
As to* the price of the portions of the said lands which persons
shall desire to buy, who shall not be owners of shares, the Company
may place it at such a sum as it shall judge proper without being
obliged to subject it to valuation and without being able also to depart
from it in order to sell it lower, unless after the Company shall be
freed from the whole price of the purchase, and discharged from the
sum total of the loans which it shall be able to make, and after con-
sent given by deliberations had among the associates.
Article 6rH.
The proprietor of shares who shall have made payments in advance
or who shall give sureties, which the Company shall have accepted
for the execution of the said payments in advance shall have the right
to demand to be put in possession of a portion of the said lands in
51
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
proportion to his shares which he shall bring to the treasury of the
Company in pa3rment of the said lands at the valuation price, and the
Company may accede to his demand before it shall be freed towards
the sellers from the payment of the price, provided it be discharged
toward the lenders.
Article 7th.
The time of the payments being known by a statement joined to
the present, each proprietor of shares will be held to satisfy it with
promptness in the terms which it prescribes in order to spare himself
as well as the society the trouble which delays occasion, consenting
imanimously if it happens that any one fails in his engagement after
having entered upon payment, that the sale of his shares shall be
made at his own peril and risk, one month after the expiration of the
time without there being any need of having recourse to the courts
of law. The shareholder shall be informed of the sale of his shares
and of the result, of which there shall be an account kept for him,
because he consents likewise, in order not to occasion loss to the
Company, to make up the balance of his subscription in such manner
as the Company shall exact, if the sale of his shares shall not satisfy it.
Article 8th.
The said gentlemen appearing nominate to hold the funds of the
Company, M. L. Seline banker in Paris dwelling there Rue Beaubourg,
who shall exercise the functions of Cashier without limitations of time
and by keeping conformably to the ordinances of commerce, registers
of receipts and expenses and Mr. Playfair to keep a register of control
of said funds which shall be signed by two of the associates.
Article 9th.
The Company shall last for nine, for eighteen or for twenty seven
years and it may, however, be dissolved whether at the end of the
ninth or at the end of the eighteenth year only as the Company shall
be entirely freed not only from the price of the purchase principal
and interest, but also from all borrowed money which it may have
had from others than the associates.
After this liberation at the end of one or the other of these times
the associates shall make a first division of the lands which shall
remain to them unless they shall deem it proper to agree unanimously
upon a prolongation of their Company for a time to be determined.
52
Digitized by
Google
The amount of funds which each associate shall be found to have in
the enterprise, whether in shares which shall still be in possession or
in receipt for cash which he shall have paid into the treasury of the
Company with the formalities herein after explained, shall regulate
the amount of land which shall be given over to him according to the
valuations of which mention is made in Article 5 above, without any
increase except by reason of expenses of clearings and other expenses
of this nature detailed in the same Article 5, above, what shall still
remain of the land after this first division, shall be divided equally
among all the associates as profit.
Article ioth.
During the life of the said Company there shall be made every
year in the month of July a general account of the treasury in order
to show its condition and that of the Company affairs.
Two thirds of the sums which shall arise from the payments for
shares, three fourths of those which shall arise from the price of the
sales of the lands, made to others than shareholders, shall be employed
yearly for the payment of the price of the purchase and for the pay-
ment of sums borrowed either of other persons, or of the associates,
principal and interest. Even to full payment the surplus shall be used
in the expenses of improvements and clearings and all outlays neces-
sary for this purpose, deductions being first made for the rent of the
places where the Company shall hold its meetings, for the employment
of the Cashier and of the clerks and for office expenses ; The profits
which then shall be found, after these deductions, reckoning from
April ist 1792, shall be divided among the said Sir associates con-
formably to the proportions determined hereinafter. It is agreed that
there shall be comprised in the funds on the part of the associates, in
the treasury, and for the affairs of the Company, only so far as the
Cashier shall have been authorized to receive them by a deliberation
held with all the associates and that without this deliberation, the
proprietors of funds shall not be able to exact any interest, nor pretend
to have by reason of said funds a right to share in the lands at the
dissolution of the Company.
Article iith.
The general account of the Treasury having been rendered : two
months after there shall be called a meeting of all the owners of shares
who shall have been registered as is mentioned in Article 2 above,
53
Digitized by
Google
and who shall not have taken lands in exchange for their shares only
to show to them at what point the Company shall be relatively to its
deliberations towards the venders and the lenders ; and to let them
know the amount of land it shall have improved, the progress and
product of the improvements and in order to be summoned to this
meeting one must be the owner of fifty shares.
The whole has been thus agreed and determined between the par-
ties who for the execution of these presents have chosen domicil each
one in his dwelling at Paris above mentioned anything to the con-
trary notwithstanding.
Made and sealed the said day and year and passed upon at Paris
and dwelling above said of the parties as regards Messrs the said
Marquis de Gouy d'Arsy, Baron and Playfair the third of August, as re-
gards the said Sirs, Troussier, Guibert, le Chevalier de Caquelon and
Barlow the Eighteenth of August, and as regards the said Sirs, de St.
Didier and Maheas the thirty-first of the same month of August, the
year 1789 and have signed the minutes of these presents remaining
with M. Rameau one of the notaries undersigned.
IV.
BILL OF SALE.
(Translation of a copy of the Bill of Sale passed between Joel Barlow as agent of
the vScioto associates in America and the newly organized Scioto company in Paris.
See Doc. No. Ill and also No. V, Barlow to Duer, Nov. 29, 1789. For document
Cf. Gal. Paps. Ill, Bk. A, 72.
3D Nov. 1789. Before the Counsellors of the King, Notaries in the
Chatelet of Paris Undersigned.
Was present Mr. Joel Barlow, Esquire, dwelling ordinarily in the
City of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, one of the Thirteen
United States of North America, being at present in Paris lodged in
the Hotel d'Angleterre, Rue Traversier St. Honore, Parish of St.
Roch, and stipulating in these presents in the name and by virtue
of special powers, which he has proved to the purchasers hereinafter
named, of Manasseh Cutler of Major Winthrop Sargent and William
Duer of the City of New York, all three sole proprietors associated
in virtue of the grant made by the American Congress of the country
wherein is taken the object of the sale hereinafter.
54
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
The which Sieur Barlow in the said name and by these presents
has sold, ceded and abandoned in full and free ownership and enjoy-
ment, but by no means to take possession and enjoyment thereof ex-
cept at the times and in the manner hereinafter stipulated to the
Society formed between the said Sir Barlow and others to the effect
of the present purchase under the name and style of the Company
of the Scioto, following an act drawn by Mr. Rameau and associate
notaries at Paris, the third of August last and accepted, purchasers
for the said Society by M. William Playfair, English Engineer dwell-
ing in Paris, Rue Neuve des Petits Champs Parish of St. Roch No.
162 at this present
The superficial tract of three millions of acres or English arpens
to be taken in the land situate between the Rivers Ohio and Scioto
of North America — beginning from confluence of the rivers Ohio and
Scioto towards the west along the Ohio, as far as the west line of the
seventeenth range of townships and its prolongation towards the
north upon the said western line of the seventeenth Range of town-
ships as far as this line must be prolonged to make the said quantity
of three millions of acres and from such point to the east as far as the
river Scioto, and thence along the river to the place whence the
boundar)' shall have begun. To render these bounds more clear and
intelligible the parties have produced an engraved copy of the plan,
which has been prepared, of the country where is to be taken the
tract of these three million acres, following the limits herein above,
and the plan wherein this tract is marked in blue, has been annexed
to the minutes of these presents after having been seen by the parties,
the which has been accepted in the presence of the said indorsers.
However, observing that by the terms of the grant, there is or
ought to be in the extent of each township of Six English Square
Miles, certain lots of land reserved for public schools, or destined
for other public purposes according to the orders of Congress, it is
well understood that these lots of land thus reserved or destined shall
not be comprised in the present sale, but that if, deduction made for
these portions, the land which shall remain in the extent above lim-
ited shall not make up the above mentioned amount of three million
acres, what shall be wanting, shall be made up for the good of the so-
ciety out of the lands situate to the north of the possessions of the
Company of the Ohio — ^and to the amount of the land herein above
described.
The price of the present sale has been fixed and agreed at the
55
Digitized by
Google
rate of Six livres Tournois per acre, which makes for the whole three
million acres at the rate above mentioned the sum of eighteen mil-
lions livres Tournois which Messrs . . . bind themselves and
their associates present and future to pay without interest moreover,
at the times hereinafter fixed to wit :
fifteen hundred thousand livres at the end of December of the
present year i. ^., 1,500,000
fifteen hundred thousand livres at the end of April in the coming year, . 1,500,000
fifteen hundred ** ** ** ** •* ** said year, 1790, 1,500,000
** •* ** ** " ** ** ** April, 1791, 1,500,000
three millions " '* *< *< ** September of the
same year r79i, . . 3,000,000
three millions more ** " ** ** ** April, 1792, 3,000,000
•• ** ** ** ** " " ** «* 1793, 3,000,000
and** ** ** " ** •* ** *« ** 1794, 3,000,000
Total equal to said price, 18,000,000
Notwithstanding this fixing of times the Society purchasing may an-
ticipate its payments for such portions as it may please, and all their
payments shall be made at the choice of the said society, either in
ready money or in bills of the United States of America as in that
country, thus under the name of its "Domestic Liquidation" the
whole comes into the hands of the said Sir Barlow or of his princi-
pals at the treasury of the society or at such other place as shall be
arranged by the Sieur Barlow, it being well understood that for what
shall be p)aid of the said price in paper of the nature of that above
designated this paper shall be valued at ninety livres in the hundred,
that is to say, that a himdred livres in value of this paper shall only
represent ninety livres silver, and the American dollar in silver shall
be counted at five livres five sols.
As soon as and not before the said payments are remitted arising
from the price of the present sale Mr. Barlow binds his principals
towards the society purchasing or its assigns to put them in possession
and enjoyment of an amoimt of the three million acres proportionate to
the amount of the said payment at the aforesaid rate of six livres
Tournois per acre, and these acres thus gradually paid for, shall at
first be located upon the river Ohio at the east line of the seventeenth
Township Range to the twentieth range at the west and at the north;
following the arrangements marked upon the plats joined to the min-
utes of these presents, in the order of the remittances proportionately
to the payments herein above fixed.
56
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
The said society may moreover resell all or a part of the three
million acres, before the times herein above fixed for the pa)rment of
their price, provided that the said society gives up to the Sieur Bar-
low, under the title of pledge the agreements of the under purchasers,
but the said Sieur Barlow shall give back to the said society these
agreements when it shall pay to him their entire value. . . .
At this transaction were present, and are parties to the very high and
very mighty Seigneur and Monseigneur Louis Marthe de Gouy Mr.
d'Arsy Lieutenant General of the Government of the Isle of France,
Colonel of Cavalry, Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St.
Louis and deputy from the island of St. Domingo in the National assem-
bly, dwelling in Paris Rue de Provence, Parish St. Eustache. And M.
Claude Odille Joseph Barond, Esquire dwelling in P^s, Rue Neuve
des petit Champs, Parish St. Roch. All interested in the Society of
the Scioto.
Who while approving and confirming the engagements herein
above contracted by their co-associates for their Society have by these
presents appointed for their attorneys, general and special, Mr. Play-
fair and Mr. Barlow herein above named and M. Jean Antoine Chais
of Soisson, advocate to the Parliament to whom jointly and sever-
ally they have given power to resell all or a part of the said three
million acres at the best price, terms or conditions of receiving the
price thereof, or to assign it all or in part, and to go out of the Society
with respect to the principals of the Sieur Barlow, to give for this
purpose every acquittance, consent, subrogation and to disseize in
consequence the Society of its rights of property over the object of re-
sale in favor of their purchasers and generally to do for the Ease and
accomplishment of the said sale all which the said Sir attorneys ap-
pointed shall judge most fit for the advantage of the said Society, to
substitute in the present powers one or several others associates.
And for the execution of these presents the parties have chosen
domiciles and names in their dwellings in the aforesaid four places
anything to the contrary notwithstanding.
Made and done at Paris and the residence of the parties:
November 3d, 1789 before noon, .... have signed the
minutes of these presents remaining with M. Farmain one of the
notaries above mentioned.
Signed Farmain
pour Copie: Signed F. M. T. de Barth.
57
Digitized by
Google
V.
(JOEL BARLOW TO COL. WILLIAM DUER.)
(Cx^ of the letter from Joel Barlow to Col. Wm. Duer, Paris, Not. 29, 1789.
Barlow was appointed agent of the Scioto associates in America and sent to Europe
to negotiate a loan on, or sale of, the Scioto tract of land. Barlow arrived in Paris
the last of June, 1788, but for twelve months he accomplished little towards his aims.
When he wrote the letter here published, however, he had enlisted the aid of Wm.
Flayfair, an Englishman, long resident in Paris and well acquainted with French ways.
As the result of their acquaintanceship Barlow was enabled to announce to Duer the
formation of the Scioto company of associates in Paris and the sale to that company
of the American company's preemption of lands in the west. He describes the future
plan of the company, the hope for success, etc Finally he begs Duer to do his part
in America to make arrangements with Congress by which the first emigrants to arrive
might be put into possession of their lands and not allowed to know that they had at
first bought only a mere preemption. For the result of this advice on Barlow's part,
see No. II. For document Cf. Gal, Paps. I, 133.)
Paris, Nov. 29, 1789.
My Dear Sir :
I have now the pleasure to inform you that the contract was com-
pleted on the 3d of this month. It is for the sale of 3 millions of
acres — the price of six livers the acre, to be paid either in cash or in
American funds at 90 per cent, at the choice of the purchasers. It
is probable that the greater part will be paid in the American French
debt— or those Bonds given for money borrowed of the government
of France ; some however will be paid in oiu* domestic debt, & some
in money. For such part as shall be paid in American paper, I have
fixed the exchange at 105 sols the dollar^ the price of the acre, being
120 sols to be paid in paper at 90 per cent, will require 133?^ — the
commissions, douceurs to public and private persons & all the
expenses here will amoimt to about 15 per cent, this deducts 20 sols
from the i33j^, the price then of the acre to us will be 1 13^ sols or
one dollar & 8j^ sols, this will make us a profit of upwards of
1,200,000 dollars. The pa)rments as fixed in contract are as follows :
End of Decern. 1789 1,500,000 livers
** ♦* April 90 1,500,000 *'
*« «« Sep. *« 1,500,000 **
** '* April 91 1,500,000 «*
" " Sep.* «* 3,000,000
<« «* April 92 3,000,000
*« ** April 93 3,ooo,ocKi
«* ** April 94 3,000,000
18,000,000 livers
58
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
The causes that have induced me to fix the bulk of the payments
so late are various ; I cannot now detail them without sending you
more papers than you would be willing to read, & more than I am
able to pay postage for. But I have good reason to believe that the
payments will be approached & the whole business finished within the
next year, ist I am preparing an arrangement with the royal treasury
which I believe will give us the greater part of the sum from thence
in the American Bonds above mentioned. 2d The object of the
company as I mentioned to you in my last, is an immediate settlement,
by the sale of portions to individuals & by sending cultivators in the
service of the company. This they expect will raise the reputation
of the lands to such a degree that they wiU sell them all off in the
course of one year at a great profit, as the first of these modes, that
which respects the treasury, cannot be certain as yet, my great reliance
is on the second which cannot fail, if we give it proper facility on oiu*
part. The present circumstances of the kingdom are favorable, the
subject is popular, many portions are already sold, & the people pre-
paring to embark in January, & as I mentioned to you before, Maj.
Gen. Duportail & Maj. Rochefontain gi^e me reason to hope they will
go at the head of the establishment. Now although my contract, in
the letter of it, does not depend on the success of this or any other
enterprise, yet in such great affairs no remedy can be had for any
breach that a company may make either from choice or necessity, the
only assmance against a violation of their engagements is never to
suffer them to conceive it for their interest to violate them, for this
purpose the utmost prudence & energy are still necessary on both sides
the water, the managers here & agents going with the people will be
perfectly in our interest. I have written to the gentlemen at
Muskingum pointing out their duty in the strongest terms possible,
which I wish you would enforce by your authority without delay, by
writing them your reflections on this subject. I have advised them
without delay, ist to ascertain the boundary between the 17th & i8
ranges of townships, at least the southern p)art of it — ^as these people
will be there by the last of Feb'ry — to begin their operations opposite
the great Knehawa on the i8th range — 2d to build them there a few
huts & ovens, at least for the accommodation of 100 persons, — 3d.
To send a person of activity from their settlement to Alexandria to
make all the preparations on the route & at the fort for their reception
& journey to the Scioto, & to wait at Alexandria to conduct them.
For it cannot be too much insisted on, that the success of their sale
59
Digitized by
Google
of acres here, consequently their payments to us, will depend almost
entirely on the accounts written back by the first people that arrive.
It is an immense undertaking to the poor creatures who adventure in
it, a situation in which all the passions are alive to the slightest im-
pressions. They who lead the way trust their lives & fortunes to the
representations that I make to them, the evidence is slight, it will be
strengthened or destroyed in the minds of those who are still to be
engaged, by the testimony of those who first arrive. If the first loo
persons should find things easy & agreeable as it is in our power to
make them with a little attention, the stream of emigration will be
irresistable ; 20,000 people will be on those lands in 18 months & our
payments will be made in 12. Do my friend exercise your rapid
imagination for a moment in writing to those gentlemen— the subject
lies with weight on my mind ; it is tho' small, one of the most essen-
tial services that now remains to be done. Whenever you shall know
the complication of difficulties I have struggled with bringing this
unweildly business thus far, you will excuse the warmth of my en-
treaties, & believe that they are founded on the maturest reflection as
well as on the most ardent d^ire to serve the interest of the concern.
The object which I recommended to you in my last is likewise in my
opinion indispensible. I enclose here a duplicate of that part of ray
letter, lest you may not have rec'd it. It is the only possible means
of bringing a mere preemption into that shape in which it could be
fairly offered for certain sale. It is absolutely necessary to us, it is
the only reliance that the first purchasers of portions can have for
their title. The Secretary of Finance will certainly see the interest
of the United States in making that arrangement, as it is their object
to sink their debt by the sale of lands, as they are perfectly secure
in this case as in the other, as it gives us the means of succeeding
in the whole operation, & as the success of this will be followed by
other sales to the extinguishment of a great part of the debt. I
must add as a farther reason why you should not fail of making
arrangements recommended, that I have proceeded, as though it were
already done, by giving the company here power to resell portions
before they make their first payment on the contract, requiring as my
security the deposit of the payments for these portions; this they
have already acted on to a considerable amount. It is further to be
considered that it is possible that their first payment will not be made
to us in season for us to make our first to Congress before the people
will arrive; should the people not be put in possession of their small
60
Digitized by
Google
purchases on their arrital, we are ruined. It will be but for a few
acres, I imagine not above 5,000, that those who shall arrive in the
first ship will have purchased ; the sec*y can run no risk in allowing
them to take possession of so small a portion before it is paid for, as
he can not suppose we would sacrifice the advantage of all our con-
tracts for the sake of cheating Congress out of so small a sum. But
if no other means will do, you must make a deposit of 5 or 10,000 $
to get possession of such a number of acres opposite the mouth of the
great Knehawa, to be afterward reckoned towards our contract. Dis-
patch such leave of entry to your friends in the West but not to let
the European Settlers know the manner of this proceeding, for they
will not know, except the agent, but the lands were all our own before.
I hope you will be of my opinion on these subjects, & that nothing
will prevent the people being put perfectly at their ease on their
arrival; The expenses of the objects above mentioned will be paid
by the agent of the people the moment they arrive but the charges
must be moderate. If the gentlemen in the West are too poor to
make the advances, which is possible, you must contrive to make them
from New York. It will be but for a few days, the sacrifice small, &
the object infinite. I can think of no arguments in addition to those
I have formerly used to induce you to write to me, my reflections on
that subject are painful beyond description. Mr. Dixon, to whom
my friends have been requested to address their Letters, is about
leaving London. Be kind enough to address to the care of Mr.
Henry Broomfield Merchant, No. i Sirelane, London.
VI.
(JOEL BARLOW TO COLONEL WILLIAM DUER.)
(The following are copies of three letters of Barlow to Duer, dated Paris, Dec.
8, and 29, 1789, and Jan. 25, 1790. In these letters Barlow describes the further
progress of aAurs in France after the formation of the Scioto company there, and the
arrangement for the departure of the first party of emigrants, etc. For these letters
Cf. Ga/. Paps, I, 135.
Paris, 8 Dec, 1789.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed are duplicates of such communications lately made as ap-
pears to me the most important & the subjects of them indispensible.
Since the date of my last everything goes on very well, the company
are now in treaty for sales to the amount of a million of livres ; they
61
Digitized by
Google
will probably be finished in a few days — many who have finished their
purchases are impatient to be gone — some have already left Paris for
Havre where they will wait the arrangements for their embarkation.
I think Maj. Rochefontaine as agent will sail early in January with
about IOC persons — there cannot be a better man for the purpose.
Every step that this business takes impresses with new force on my
mind the necessity of attending to every object which I have recom-
mended to you & to the Gentleman in the West. Let nothing my
dear friend, prevent their being accomplished. I fear that my letters for
the Western country will not arrive in season for a person to be sent
from thence to Alexandria. If you are acquainted with any Man of
Business at that Port I wish you would write requesting that every
succoiu" be given to the people on their arrival. The reward will be
certain & you may promise it with safety.
Paris, 29 Dec, 1789.
My Dear Sir,
This goes by a Ship to Alexandria which carries about sixty set-
tlers for the Scioto. Mr. Boulonge a person well recommended to
me goes as their temporary agent till the arrival of Rochefontaine
which will be in a month after them. I have not failed to take every
arrangement in my power to secure their good reception & that degree
of happiness which will secure our success. I feel a great degree of
confidence likewise that nothing will be omitted either by you or our
friends in the West. I hope very soon to put it in your power to
make our first payment to Congress, as [our] bargain I believe will
be concluded within the next month for the sale of half a million of
acres Many reputable & wealthy families will go out
for the Scioto in a short time. Should the first people find them-
selves happy I have no doubt but they would be followed in a few
years by half a million of other adventurers. The idea is new in
France, it was extremely difficult to set it a going, but there are cases
which may extend it almost beyond calculation.
I have not yet received any letter nor any necessary information
since I left you. It is not my personal feelings alone which are af-
fected by this circumstance. The business has required that I should
know the situation & intentions of the concern, the progress of the
surveys, the disposition of the savages & a thousand other things that
I might determine what measures to take & what promises I might
safely make to facilitate the operations of the first settlement.
62
Digitized by
GooglQ
Besides it is difficult for me to keep this circumstance from being
known, so as to endanger the confidence that People of all classes
ought to have in my representation. For what confidence would you
place in a stranger who should pretend to be the agent of the company,
which has totally neglected him for over two years?
When Rochefontaine arrives I shall hope to get some information,
until then I shall despair of being able to know whether the Western
company still exists or not.
Paris, 25th Jan'v, 1790.
My Dear Sir,
Enclosed is a duplicate of my last in addition to which, order the
Treasurer to draw on me for one hundred thousand livres — the affair
goes extremely well ; it is true the payments are not made, but they
certainly will be. The sales increase rapidly.
Dont for God's sake fail to raise money enough to put the people
in possession — make any sacrifice rather than fail in this essential ob-
ject. If it fails we are ruined. All our fortunes & my character will
be buried under the ruins. I know I have run a risk in suffering the
people to go till I could get possession, especially as I could get no
information from you, but the risk was absolutely necessary, and the
proposition to the Secretary of finance which I have often mentioned
is so reasonable that it cannot be rejected. Tell him that 20 millions
of acres may be sold here in two years after it is known that these
people are quietly in possession of their lands. You can certainly
among all your Connexions raise one or two hundred thousand dol-
lars for a few months. I pledge the faith of an honest Man for the
payment. If necessary draw on me at Ninety days for a second
hundred thousand Livres — advise me of it the earlest possible. I
shall be more particular in a few days.
VII.
JOEL BARLOW TO M. BOULONGE.
(Letter dated Paris, Dec. 31, 1789. Boulooge was a temporary agent of the
Scioto company and accompanied the first party of emigrants to Alexandria, Virginia.
See No. VI, Barlow to Duer, Jan. 25, 1790. For this letter Cf, Gai, Paps. I, 137).
To Mr. Boulonge,
Sir, — It is probable that the agent of the Scioto Company will
find employment for you for one year or more after his arrival in
63
Digitized by
Google
America. Any arrangement of this kind will however be left with
him, as he alone will be responsible for whatever shall be done under
his agency. Previous to his arrival I shall expect you to occupy
yourself wholly in promoting the happiness & convenience of the
emigrants who go in the same ship with you, and likewise of any
others who may be addressed to your care previous to the arrival of
the agent. On the passage you will encourage the people & be their
interpreter. On your arrival at Alexandria, you will endeavor to see
them conveniently lodged, assist them in procuring necessaries, & if
the American agent should have arrived from the Ohio, you will after
resting the people a convenient time, assist him in moving them on
the route that he shall think proper. But, should such agent not have
arrived, you will detain the people & stay with them yourself at Alex-
andria, while you send a man express with my dispatches to the Ohio.
You will then keep the people quiet as possible & wait the arrival of
the agent from the Ohio, or of the Agent from Europe. On the ar-
rival of either of these you will follow his direction, & do your
utmost endeavor to accomplish the great object of the Company,
which is to render these people as happy as possible, & to provide
for the future prosperity of an extensive & increasing settlement.
Reposing the fullest confidence in your fidelity & prudent con-
duct, I have the honor to be. Sir, your ob*dt & very humble servt.
VIII.
JOEL BARLOW TO M. BOULOGNE.
(Letter dated, Paris, Jan. ist, 1790. See No. VII. For this letter Cf. Gal,
Paps, I, 155.)
Paris, January ist, 1790.
Mr. Boulogne,
5/r, — You are requested to inform the Gentlemen proprietors of
lands who go under your care to the Scioto & who embark in the first
ship, that, in consideration of their patience and good conduct since
their departure from Paris, and as an inducement to them to perse-
vere in so generous and glorious ian enterprise, I give and grant to
each of them a house lot within the city to be laid out opposite the
mouth of the great Knehawa River, and a right in the city commons,
which house-lots shall be contiguous to each other, laid in two squares
near the centre of the city, which two squares shall be called by the
following names, premier coup and etrenne or such other names as you
64
Digitized by
Google
may think more saitable to the circumstances. Send me a list of these
proprietors names before you leave Havre, & I will forward their
deeds by the agent in chief (add to this list the names of non-pro-
prietors & of the women and children). As it must be some time
after your arrival before the gentlemen can have their lands surveyed
to them in the other municipalities,* and as they will now be proprie-
tors of one compact spot of land in the centre of the city, and of a
right in the large common that surrounds it, I advise them to make
their first harvest there in a large common field. And by agreement
among themselves every proprietor will enjoy his proportion of the har-
vest according to the number of hands he employs. In this situation,
their labors will be more cheerful, they will inspirit each other & in-
struct each other in the noble art of cultivating the lands.
Assure the gentlemen, my dear Sir, of my best wishes & prayers
for their happiness. My heart goes with them. I consider them as
the fathers & founders of a nation — their names will not only be
carved oa the bark of trees along the banks of the Ohio, engraved on
the stones that shall form the walls of the future city — but they shall
be written in the hearts of their posterity and not one of them shall
be forgotten. My first pleasure on returning to my native country
shall to be to visit them in their habitations, find them happy on their
own soil, & take them by the hand as countrymen, brothers & friends.
As they have passed the tender scene of bidding adieu to all that
was dear to them in their own country, believing they should be
happier in mine ; and, as their choice has been founded on the rep-
resentations which I have made to them, I feel myself in a great
measure responsible for their success. Though I have made every
arrangement in my power for their agreeable reception & easy prog-
ress on their route, though after this their happiness must chiefly de-
pend on their own industry & prudence ; yet, as a duty which I still
owe them I will send them by the agent some advise relative to that
system which I conceive will be most suitable to their new situation.
Wishing you & them a prosperous vo3rage & a happy arrival in
your second country.
IX.
COMMISSION OF BENJAMIN WALKER.
By the fall of 1790 the affiurs of the Scioto company in Paris were in a hopeless
conditioD. The drafts on Barlow made by Duer at the former's request, the proceeds
of which were to be used by Duer in pa3riDg the ezpeoses of conveying the first col-
65
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
oaists to Scioto, had been retaraed unpaid. The Scioto associates in America decided
to dispatch Col. Benj. Walker to Paris to investigate matters there and if necessary to
supercede Barlow as their agent in Europe. Walker's conmiission dated SepL ii,
1790 here printed was the outcome of their decision. On his arrival in Paris in Dec.
1790 Walker found the affair of the Scioto Co. too far gone to be revived. But he
exhonerated Barlow from all wilful blame in the matter & leaves us to conclude that
the sub-agents of the Paris Co., Playfair or . . . [?], were guilty of stealing
the funds entrusted to their care. For document Cf. Gai. Paps, I. 149.
New York, ii Sept., 1790.
Dear Sir,
You will receive herewith three Commissions, one constituting
you a joint agent with Joel Barlow, Esq., in the management of the
affairs of the Scioto Company in Europe.
Another, appointing you, our agent for examining the accounts
& proceedings of the agents of the company in Europe, & the third,
appointing you the agent for managing all the concerns of the Scioto
Company abroad.
In bringing forward, & executing the commissions you will, we
are sensible, act with all delicacy, & discretion, which our esteem for
Mr. Barlow, and the nature of the case requires & with respect to
the last you will neither make it known, or act under, unless the state
of the company's affairs &the conduct of the parties, who have been
intrusted with their management, should in your judgment, render it
advisable.
Our anxious wish is to preserve Harmony amongst all the parties
intrusted with the negotiation of the sales in Europe, as far as it can
be done, consistently with the establishment of order in the conduct
of the Company's affairs, & solid security for the funds received on
account of the sales. These points must at all events be obtained,
or, the interest & reputation of the company ... as well as
the property of the Purchasers will be inevitably sacrificed.
You will hear from us frequently on the state of matters here, &
you will oblige us in giving from time to time an accurate detail of
everything which relates to the Interest of the Company in Europe.
We are. Dear Sir
With sentiments of esteem
Your obedt. humble Servt.
rWm, Duer Trustees for
Benjamin Walker, Esq. (Signed) < Royal Flint the Scioto
(^and Wm. Craigie. Purchasers.
66
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
X.
(WILLIAM PLAYFAIR TO COLONEL DUER.)
(Letter dated, Paris, Dec. 27, 179a PUyfair was an Englishman long resident
in P^uris whose aid Bariow had enlisted in selling the Scioto land. It is a pretty well
established fiM:t that Playfair put into his own pocket the greater bulk of the money
received by him as subagent for the Scioto associates. The letter herein given was
written soon aAer Col. Walker had arrived in Paris to investigate the affairs of the
Scioto Co. The insinuating tone shows admirably the character of the writer who
hoped to clear himself from all blame in the transaction and to remain in the good
graces of Duer and his associates. For this letter Cf. GaL Paps. I, 177. )
Paris, 27 December, 1790.
Since I had the honor of wrtting to you last in the month of
November at such great length things are greatly changed here for the
better by the arrival of Letters from several persons from the border
of the Ohio who speak very favorably of the soil & climate & of the
prospects in general — as soon as these letters have had time to pro-
duce their effect on the public there is very little doubt of a great
sale. They are printed & within these three days copies have been sent
to all parts of France & to all the Individuals who have begim treaties
with us but have discontinued them thro' the bad accounts which for
six months have never ceased to arrive.
Our sitiiation is such that there is certainly a possibility with acti-
vity & a good plan to sell the greater part of these lands in six or 8
months from this time but if we once let slip this second occasion
the lands will never be sold in Europe in such a manner as to enable
the Company in America to make the payments to Congress. As you
will receive by this or the first Packet after a historical account of the
matter from the beginning with a particular account of all that has
been sold with the effects on hand & Paid for the business I shall only
at the end of this letter give you the result in general & here I shall
confine myself to those things which do not enter into that general
history & of which I have not written in my last but which it is neces-
sary that you should know.
The arrival of Mr. Walker I consider a very lucky circimistance
as it gives rise to an explanation that was very necessary. I never
was so much surprised as when I understood from that Gentleman
that the Scioto Company in America imagined a million of acres had
been sold when in fact there has not been f th of that quantity disposed
67
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
of — perhaps some of the Emigrants may have said it— if so they spoke
from their imaginations or from hearsay — it is true that there was last
spring a general belief that we had sold a great quantity & that belief
was favorable for us, therefore we did not endeavor to destroy it but
there is a great dfference between the public and the Proprietors — our
duty required us to inform you & leave them in their error as it was
advantageous & hurt nobody. I cannot conceive why Mr. Barlow
who charged himself with the correspondence did not inform you ex-
actly as he examined all the acts of sale at the notaries himself, be-
sides they were all in the Book open to him at all times. I have been
the dupe of my confidence & that prevented me from writing my-
self as I ought to have done but as Mr. Barlow seemed vexed when I
did it, as I trusted to him & as my attendance on the affair from
morning till night left me little time while he had all the day to
himself it is not so much to be wondered at, tho' I shall ever blame
myself & lament it as I must be very ignorant not to preceive the
consequence that such a belief must produce — in order to give credit
to such a report you must imagine that 3 millions of livres had been
received here out of which nothing (except 1 2 thousand livres by
Mr. de Barth) had been remitted to you — 3 millions is such a sum
that you must not hesitate to suspect we kept the money with a bad
intention. The fact with regard to the sales being otherwise you
will no doubt change your opinion accordingly & I shall here confine
myself to stating two facts which will not appear in the history of
the affair but which I can scarcely prove. In the month of July
last when the affair was reduced to nothing by the return of some
emigrants & when Mr. Barlow had unknown to me signed a sale of
the whole lands I had acceptances on my hands for the affair to the
amount of 87,6001b & about 4o,ooolb for bills protected by people who
refused to pay, in all amounting to about 127,0001b which I was per-
sonally answerable for. No other person in^France being answerable
for one single hapence. At that same moment every value that I had
among my hands was .become suspect as it was the general opinion
that I should be obliged to reimburse them all. The reimbursements
actually made & even the monthly expenses did not fail to increase
those embarassments all of which came upon me & upon me only. I
had in truth millions of embarassments but not millions of money & I
am not a little mortified at the ingratitude of some persons whom I had
served & who were at some pains (I am informed) to give an unfavour-
able idea of me to you — they must have done more than forget the
68
Digitized by
Google
services which I had rendered them — but all that is past & good pros-
pects appear. I began with venturing what little I had in the affair
& I shall stand or fall with it.
For the future I shall take care thai you shall not want proper in-
formation. Facts & not expectations that have by being unfairly
represented done so much harm for surely it was not upon expectations
if they had been represented as such that you would have drawn such
great Bills at such a risque of loss & discredit. It was then that I
took the liberty to draw upon you for i i,ooott». The case was lu^ent
— I have accepted & will punctually pay Mr. Vanden . . . .'s (?)
Bill which is come to hand.
At this present moment when the letters have not yet had time to
produce their effect as I have seen the matter from the beginning all
is now without difficulty & advantageous as regards the sale in Europe,
perhaps I am more capable to judge of it than any other & in order
to put your mind at ease I will employ a moment to say what appears
to me to be certain & to be probable.
ist. It is certain that with the good news we shall sell in the
course of 3 months more land than will enable you with the greatest
ease to pay the price of all that is given possession of & all the
advances in money which you have made or will be in the case of
making for 6 months to come, this degree of success I count
infallible.
As to probable — I think it very probable that one third or one
half of the land will be sold in 6 months from this time & I am
afraid that what is not sold before the end of next summer at farthest
say nine months will never be sold by this method at all for the nature
of the French nation is to over look a thing that does not go with
ardour and enthusiasm, we shall either I think have great success or a
very moderate degree — no medium is to be expected & I find all the
People who know France are of the same opinion. As 19 the
advances made & the engagements already taken I believe that you &
the company may be perfectly easy about them as the most moderate
degree of success will do more than pay them all. I am exceedingly
sorry for the error you have been led into about the sales as that has
occasioned an irreparable loss by the Bills returned & I repeat it again
that the child unborn was not more ignorant of the Letters that
occasioned those Bills than I was, I should certainly have advised you
at the time if I had & — ^when I think on the advantages of a well
followed correspondence had it been begun last year at this time, the
69
Digitized by
Google
money^ the inquietude, the disgrace it would have saved — I cannot
pardon myself for the confidence I had in him who corresponded,
also for the future I will have less & I shall write myself — others may
write what and how they please. If they write of the things as they
are, our letters will be of accord, if not I here take the engagement
that mine shall always contain the information that I think the most
material & that what I say shall be strictly true & said in the way that
will lead to a true conclusion.
As you are to receive the detail of the accounts here — they are as
they stood on the 2 2d of July since which time nothing has been
sold, as from that date I had no more power to sell, Mr. Barlow's
agreement with these men, de Barth, Coquet &c. having unknown to
me been made & stopt the whole, that is therefore the reason why
the account stops at that period & not at the present — it is to be
observed likewise that as Mr. Barlow engaged to cede to these men all
the values received either a process or an amiable arrangement must
determine to whom they belong — you owe to my obstinacy or perse-
verance which ever it may be called & to that alone, that all these
values were not delivered up to these men — it would have been my
interest to have done it as I should have entered for a third in the
thing but I never think it my interest to do what ought not to be done
& I quarreled without much hesitation rather than expose the afiair
itself, which it would have been, had that bargain been completed.
2 2d July 1790.
Acres sold in all 148,376
Values existing on hand but which from their nature can not
immediately be realized 696,541
Values paid in August for the company 66,036
Values which appear by the books to have been received but
which have not 93,6o6
856,183
Thus then, Sir, you see how far we are from having had millions,
from having squandered them or from having kept them. What has
been done since the 2 2d of July has been little else than to keep the
thing from falling to pieces by patience and good humor under the
most outrageous attacks that are to be conceived. I do not claim any
merit in all that for, as the Ruin of the affair would have been mine
also, I did it for my own interest & to prevent myself from the dis-
grace attendant on a failure. The moment that our hopes begin to be
realized I shall write again. & I have the honor to be. Sir, your most
obedient & most humble servant.
70
Digitized by
Google
XI.
JOEL BARLOW TO BENJAMIN WALKER.
(Two letters dated, Paris, Dec. 21, 1790, and May 3, 1791. In these letters to
Col. Walker, who had been i^ypointed by Duer to examine into the affiurs of the Scioto
Co. in Ptauis, Bariow gives his side of the Scioto transaction. He describes his en-
deavor for the good of the company and charges a large part of the whole £ulure to
Doer's lack of interest and energy, especially accusing the latter of having left him
(Barlow) withoat the necessary information concerning affairs in the west. For these
letters Cf. Gal, Paps, I, 139 & 141.)
Paris 21 Dec. 1795
Benjamin Walker Esq.
Dear Sir — I cannot sufficiently express my joy and satisfaction on
your arrival as it affords me an oportunity of relieving my mind from
that heavy burthen which has almost worn away my life by detailing
the history of the affairs of the Scioto company to a gentleman who
possesses the confidence of the concern in America and who is fully
entitled to mine. The letters which I have written to Col. Duer and
others of the concern, the copies of which I have had the pleasure
to communicate to you, have already given them a general idea of
the progress of the business. It is true I have been less anxious to
communicate the details of difficulties under which the business labor-
ed, and the motives inducing to the different steps taken in it, than
I have to recount the facts and to state my ideas of the prospects —
This enterprise in its origin was perhaps of too hazardous a nature
for a Prudent man to have engaged in. I excuse myself to my-
self in this respect on the idea which I entertained before leaving
America that the experiment might be made in a short time and at
a small expense — fixing in my mind certain limits beyond which I
determined not to pass — ^but with a strong probability to success.
After my most diligent exertions for about ten months to bring
forward the business thro' the assistance of those persons in France
and Holland to whom I was recommended and ordered to apply, I
became convinced that they were amusing me with fiadse hopes, that
their interest as dealers in the American funds rendered them enemies
to the sale of my lands which were to be paid for to the United
States in those funds. I do not say with positiveness that these
gentlemen would have opposed the business to the last. I have no
ostensible proof of the fact, but the conviction was sufficiently strong
in my mind to render it my duty to withdraw my confidence from
them. In this situation which may be fix^ at about the month of
71
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
March 1789 it became a question whether to return to America with
the loss of a years time, the expense of five hundred pounds sterl-
ing to the concern and to be considered (at least in my own appre-
hension) the dupe of these gentlemen or to attempt a negotiation
under the disadvantage of being obliged to avoid them and their
connexions which were numerous in Paris as well as Amster-
dam.
At this time the revolution which has since taken place in France
had become an event to be expected with certainty, and the great
emigration which must be connected with such an event promised
much in favor of the sale of lands in America.
I believed that the United States might be much benefited by turn-
ing this tide of emigration to that country and that the interest of the
Scioto concern required that I should try for awhile what could be
done in Paris. Whatever may be the final event of this decision I
must say it was very far from being dictated by personal interest. I
had at that time several offers made to me for other pursuits which
appeared flattering and advantageous. I had fulfilled the mission re-
ceived from Col. Duer. I had been left for some time without sup-
port from the Company. Out of six hundred pounds sterling which
was agreed to be allowed me by the year for expenses I had received
but two hundred and fifty. I had been ten month from Am^ca with
out hearing a syllable from the Company. I had spent a considerable
sum of my own money, and was somewhat in debt for my personal
expenses. The risk therefore was all my own, for no experiment
could be made without contracting further debts and the advantage,
if any should result from it, would be to the Company at large and
the United States.
Col. Blackden from Massachusetts then and now resident in Paris
brought me acquainted with Mr. William Playfair, an Englishman of
a bold and enterprising spirit and a good imagination who had been
some years in business in Paris and was acquainted with many people
of business and property here. Col. Blackden is a man perfectly
honest, candid and generous, he was then disposing of a tract of land
in Kentucky in which he had made some progress; he readily gave
me all the information in his power relative to the subject and has
rendered essential service to the business both at first and during the
progress to this time. >
In July 1789 by virtue of my powers from the Company I made
to him a conveyance of one thirtieth part of the result of our contract
72
Digitized by
Google
and speculation on condition of his rendering such services as might
be in his power.
In the month of April 1789 we began the plan of forming a com-
pany to purchase the whole of the lands, as I considered that the nature
of our contract being but a naked preemption was too slight and
dangerous a ground to attempt retailing upon. My arguments on this
head are sufficiently detailed in my letters of the last year which you
have seen and which are in the hands of Mr. Duer.
On the third of August that year this company was formed in
Commandite by a public act with the privileges of a body corporate
composed of such persons as were supposed to be able to give solidity
to the open^tion and cover the apparent defect of a mere preemption.
The nature and name [of] this society will be seen by a copy of their
act of formation which I shall hand you with this. They created
eight thousand actions to be sold at a thousand livres each. They
expected to be able to raise money enough in a short time to pay
the first quarter of the land, to begin the cultivation on the Company's
account and to sell portions to individuals. This they supposed
would raise the value of the lands so that they would soon be able
to sell them all off at a considerable profit. In short their intended
manner of operation and the subsequent contract of sale which I
passed to them on the 3d of November following a copy of which I
shall likewise hand you. [Sic]
From the time this Society was formed till the first of January
many of these actions were subscribed for, and some portions of the
lands sold so that the prospect of success was very good, and had
they as much confidence in each other as every one appeared to have
in the speculation itself they could not have failed. In this interval
Mr. Maheas, Comptroller general of the King's domains, one of this
society and appointed in the act of formation, one of the principal
agents in the business, was obliged on account of his obnoxious
politics, or delinquency in public office to fiy his country. M. Troussie
another associate for some reason unknown to me, fied about the same
time. This man I found afterwards had carried off fifty actions of
the company and had procured a power to sell lands for the Company.
I was a long time under great apprehensions from what he might do
but happily his politics soon lodged him in prison in Brabant where
I believe he has lain ever since.
These circumstances were among the causes of the Company to
make their first payment in January ; and it was agreed in that month
73
Digitized by
Google
that the contract should be given up. But as I conceived it dangerous
that it should appear publickly that the society had failed, that the
business should appear to rest only in the hands of a stranger whose
powers would not bear too critical an examination they being founded
on a mere contract of preemption, I did not reduce this relinquish-
ment to writing by a public act till the month of July ; of this act I
shall likewise give you a copy.
It would now be necessary to detail the circumstances which led
to a second contract which I made for the sale of our preemption to
the Society of DeBarth, Coquet and Company on the same day of
the relinquishment above mentioned, but it is impossible to give an
adequate idea of the causes of this transaction. It arose from a train
of indescribable events which filled my mind with horror as they
passed but which can make but feeble impressions on the mind of one
who only hears some of them recounted — for it is not possible to
recollect them all. I shall only say that the treaty out of which the
transaction grew was begun in March soon after the departure of the
first ships. At this time though the affair wore a very good appear-
ance and promised eventual success, yet the progress of the sales
began to relent and I feared the funds would not come from the direct
sales, so fast as would be requisite for the Engagements we might
be under in America. Add to this a fact which gave me too much
pain to be forgotten, that I had then been near two years in Europe
without having a word from Mr. Duer or any other person on the
subject of my mission. Though I had written regular and full
accounts of my progress in every step I had yet taken before atnd after
the operations began in Paris, it was impossible for me to know
whether what I had done would be approved or not ; whether the
situation of the savages would permit possession to be taken of the
lands or not. Or indeed whether the little settlement began by the
Ohio Company on which the success of this must in a great measure
depend, still existed or not. In this state of doubt and anxiety I
conceived it a great object to find a company who could advance'
some immediate funds to take and fulfill our engagements to the
public and allow us a sure profit though a small one compared with
what had before been calculated. This Company as I fully believe
had the prospect of being able to do this as long as the affairs of the
Company wore the favorable appearance which they did in the month
of March, this will appear by the provisional agreement made with
them the 17th of that month and renewed on the 15th of April, a
74
Digitized by
Google
copy of which I shall hand you. The increase of the calumnies and
evil reports which I shall have occasion to recount more fully under
the next head discouraged by degrees the married part of the Com-
pany about to be formed and finally drove me to conclude the treaty
such as it is on the 2 2d of July. It is a thing conceived in caution
and brought forth in a state of anxiety and vexation which borders
on despair.
With respect to the Company funds their present state is seen in
the amount in three columns hereto annexed^ but to show how they
came to be reduced to so •pitiable a state it will be necessary to
remount pretty high in the current of those events and to trace out a
succession of facts which can never be so painful to any other as to
me. These facts have been most of them stated in my letters to
Messrs. Duer, Flint and others, the copies of which I have shown
you. I do not know by what means these gentlemen have imbibed
the idea that a million of acres were sold. This is not consistent
with the least degree of confidence in the amounts which I had given.
In my letter of the loth of February to Messrs. Putnam and Sargent
sent by Mr. DeBarth I enclosed a certified list of the purchasers with
their quantity of acres up to that day.
The following paragraph in that letter will show my object in
taking that precaution. <* I enclose a list of the purchasers who have
finished their "bargain, with their quantity of acres. I shall con-
tinue to transmit them regularly which I advise you to enregister in
a book; and to prevent counterfeits consider no deed as authentic
that is not comptrolled in this manner."
On the 6th of May I forwarded to the same gentlemen by M.
Mamesia a continuation of this list up to that date certified by me in
the same manner, the first of these amounted to about 100,000 acres
and the second to about 40,000. This letter of the 6th of May it
seems was the last that had been received before your departure and
at the time when the trustees united in a letter in which is the follow-
ing paragraph — *'If reliance can be placed on the accounts re-
ceived from many reputable persons who have arrived, at least a
million acres must have been sold * ' &c.
It is to be observed that the ship in which M. Marnesia sailed was
the last that had arrived when this letter was written, so that their
information respecting the quantity of land sold could not be drawn
from a source later than the date of my letter. My letters it is true
containing the list of purchasers were addressed Messrs. Putnam and
75
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Sargent, because they were supposed by me to be on the spot where
these checks would be necessary in laying out the portions to individ-
uals. It is possible these letters have not been received, or if they
have they may be still unknown to the gentlemen in New York. My
letter of the 6th of May to Mr. Duer mentions the decline of the
sales and my fears that little more could be done until we should
get good news from the first emigrants in the possession of their
lands. As this good news has not even yet arrived (but a frightful
train of contrary facts has been constantly announced) it would not
be expected that much business could be done from May to Sep-
tember.
But to waive this part of the subject which seems to have been
so much misunderstood I will return to the real state of the facts in
the country relative to the Company's funds. The increase of ex-
penses and the diminition of sales are two effects resulting partly from
the same causes, and partly from causes distinct ; and they require
to be treated separately. The expenses here have been much in-
creased from the operations of the first society with whom I con-
tracted. They expected to go on at first with a large plan of culti-
vation on their own account in order to form an establishment which
should raise the value of their lands. For this purpose they have
engaged many laborers and sent them to Havre, from whence they
were to sail early in January ; they had enrolled many others some
of which it was found afterwards impossible to get rid of, they being
in numerous instances recommended by people of consequence in the
town whom it would not do to offend. From hence it arose that so
many people have gone out on what is called the Company's account.
These people as well as many of the poorer sort of proprietors lay upon
our hands for a long time before they sailed. The passengers in the
first ship went to Havre some in November, others in December, others
in January. Those of the second nearly at the same periods. These
two ships sailed I believe on the 13th and 19th of Febniary the first
having been detained near a month simply by the weather. The
same kind of expenses have been incident to every set of passengers
tho' in a less degree till the last.
Another source of expense has been the reclamation for damages
by those who have returned and by many others who have not been
out but who were eager to seize the advantage of the clamor raised
against the affair to make unreasonable demands.
The dimunition and stagnation and retrogradation of the sales are
76
Digitized by
Google
next to be considered. Their precise situation may be seen in the
following statement. [Blank here, said statement not given.]
The causes of this decline of business have already been suffi-
ciently detailed in many letters to Mr. Duer, Mr. Flint and others —
I was going to repeat them here in a manner more methodical and
minute, but it is not absolutly necessary, and the subject is to
painful.
I shall therefore make at present only two observations, ist.
That at the time of sailing of the first ships and especially on receiv-
ing the letters of Messrs Putnam and Cutler the beginning of March,
I had good reason to expect news from emigrants on the lands by the
month of June which I was sure would enable me to pay Mr. Duer's
drafts. 2d. The personal risk I have run in remaining in Paris several
months past could not have been, could not be justified upon any other
principle tl^n the most sacred regard to the interest of the concern.
I have been many time threatened with assassination. The cries of
many people who believed or affected to believe their children or
other friends devoured by the American savages were on the point of
collecting the mobs of Paris to demolish the Bureau and sacrifice the
people who had enticed away so many citizens. So lately as the day
after your arrival, I was called to the house of M. De Lormerie my
friend and by him warned very serious not to remain another day in
this situation ; to deposit my papeas in a place of security, for he
expected a mob would be at the house and he was very sure that neither
the civil nor military officers of Paris would dare to interfere. I
calmed the solicitude of this good man by announcing to him your
arrival and the prospect of immediate good news from the emigrants :
good news has now arrived and things assume a better aspect.
You will perceive by the account here rendered of the Company's
funds that it is out of my power to accept the bill of Mr. Duer for
532,267 livres. I have not only not a farthing of the Company's
money at my command but am very considerably in debt for my per-
sonal expenses.
I shall here enter into no details relative to the prospects that
now open before us on receipt of the letters received giving assur-
ances that the emigrants will be put into possession of their lands.
The prospect appears to me to be flattering but from the informa-
tion I have been able to give you in conversation and what you have
learnt from others, you will be able to form your own opinion on the
subject. I will only observe that from a variety of circumstances the
77
Digitized by
Google
present winter is the most favorable that can be expected for this busi-
ness, and that not a moment is to be lost.
I am sorry for the delay which has intervened in thestating of
the accounts. It is owing to a variety of objects which occupy the
attention of the persons employed in the details of the business.
By the letters of the trustees of the nth of September handed
me by you I am informed that you are appointed a joint agenjt with
myself in the future management of the Scioto concerns in Europe.
I am extremely rejoiced to hear it, and hope you will not be dis-
couraged undertaking this object on account of the embarrasments
that past difficulties have brought upon the affair.
Paris, 3 May, 17 i.
Ben Walker Esq.
My dear Friend'. I received yours of the 2d of April, and am much
mortified at not being able to see you before your departure. You
did not tell me whether the March packet had arrived. This leaves
me less able to judge whether I am to expect any news from the
Company or not. Indeed I see nothing but a continuation of the
scene of mortification which I have experienced every since I have
been in Europe. I do not blame the associates for their want of at-
tention to the' most essential parts of the business. It is now just a
year since the emigrants arrived in America and there in»no proof
here at this day of their being in possession of the lands. I wrote
and said all that I could write and say during the course of the winter
before I left, that everything here would depend upon the informa-
tion of the emigrants on a few obvious points. That they were on
the lands, that the lands were good, that there was nothing to fear
from the savages &c. and then it was necessary likewise that I should
have details relative to many other things, such as the roads, the dis-
tances, the progress of settlements in that country, the real disposition
of the savages, the produce of the lands, the real history of any
disastrous events which are often fabricated or exagerated in the
American papers &c. You know, my dear Sir, that none of these
things have been done.
One Solitary letter from a person unknown dated at Marietta says
that the emigrants were on the lands in Nov. last, allowing it to be
true six months had passed after their arrival during which they were
kept off, without any reason being given in Europe that could appear
sufficient to satisfy the minds of enquirers, not a letter in all this time
78
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
from any of the company that I could show here, — a few letters on
the subject of money & bills which I received I could not communi-
cate as they contained nothing calculated to inspire confidence here.
Having it known from time to time that I received letters which I
could not show, gave the appearance of mystery & increased suspicion.
The letters from the emigrants in this interval were a mixture of good
and bad, just sufficient to keep the mind in a balance had not the
circumstance of delay intervened to turn the scale. But even had
the good been imattended by the bad, the causes of delay being unex-
plained it is reasonable that something like the following would have
been the effect: On the first arrival it would have been well, after-
wards indifferent, finally mysterous and suspicious. For the reason-
ing would have been thus: **The Americans treat these people well
& promise to conduct them immediately to the lands. Good, let
us wait a little for the event. Two months afterwards the Ameri-
cans continue to treat them well even generously. This is good enough,
but where are the lands? why don't they move forward? Three
months afterwards one season is lost, they are still treated with great
attention — promised a support for a year, taught to praise the quality
of the lands which however they can't get a sight at. What does
this mean? Why, those gentlemen think they have got a great affair
by the end. They think their agent in Europe is going on with the
sales, he has need of fine stories to bait a sufficient number of purchas-
ers 6: the profit they expect to draw from the whole cheat will be suf-
ficient to warrant their expending a considerable sum in duping the
first emigrants that they may assist in duping others.''
Nothing is more natural than this kind of reasoning, even suppos-
ing that some hundreds of men would have waited many months on
the Atlantic shore without writing an ill natured word.
But the people here were not complimented with the pleasure of
making their own reflections. They were told these things in num-
berless letters as well as by the fractious fellows who returned.
Consider now, my dear sir, another 6 months passed away, since
(as I suppose) they are on the lands, and not a syllable of direct in-
formation from the spot. Consider the single circumstance of the
expedition into the Miami Country last year. Its event was a subject
suited to fill the English & French papers with dark & vague stories
which might go even to the destruction of all the western settlements.
The object of this expedition ought to have been explained by our
correspondents as soon as they knew it, and the events of it explained,
79
Digitized by
Google
fixing the places and distances marking the influence it might have
on our settlement. The story has been here that every French emi-
grant except one fell in the battle with the savages ; What can I say
to this? how can I prove it? Whether the Miami villages were 50
or 500 miles from the Scioto purchase I know not.
General Putnam wrote me a letter in March 1790 giving me much
information from the Western country, for which I thanked him very
sincerely. It was of more value to me than all I have received from
others. But even this led me into one very fatal deception, he told
me that he would go himself to Alexandria & meet the settlers & con-
duct them to the lands. This raised my hopes exceedingly, but they
were disappointed. 1 don't mention all these things as absolute wil-
ful sins in my associates but I mention them as facts, and as reasons
why my expectations in this country have not been realized. For I
have no more doubt than I ever had, that the affair would have suc-
ceeded, all their bills been paid and a great profit been made
to the concern if such news had arrived here by August or Septem-
ber last as I had every reason to believe would arrive ; which reason
was not only grounded on the nature of the subject, but was greatly
strengthened & rendered in my opinion almost infallible by the letter
of General Putnam.
With regard to the transactions here you know the history of
them tho* you can not know but in part the motives which led to
them whatever may be the dishonesty of Playfair at bottom, his con-
duct for a year past has been dictated as it still appears to me — rather
from the uncertainity, contradictions & obscurity which involved the
American part of the transaction, than from any principle of Knavery.
It is more than a year since I have thought him if not radically
dishonest, at least what was as bad, a most imprudent & unfit man to
have any authority in a business of this kind & I determined to get
rid of him in the best manner possible. I was in hopes that every
month & every week would bring such accounts from America as
would enable me to force him to render his accounts without ruining
the business. As that time never arrived when I could do this in a
direct manner, it formed a principal motive for listening to the prop-
ositions of Bourogne & Company. Tho' this affair dragged along
and ended in the contract which you have seen yet that contract
would have been an advantageous one if the news from America had
justified the representations which I always made here in good faith
and with full conviction that Ihey would be realized. I am willing to
80
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
allow that there have been faults committed on both sides the water,
mine have not been want of attention or integrity. I have been de-
ceived here and disappointed there, but I must say that the disap-
pointments from that quarter have been principal causes of exposing
me to the deceptions here.
Whether the gentlemen there will take the measures we have rec-
ommended or any other to retrieve the fortune of the speculation or
not I cannot tell. If they do not, it is my opinion that you would
do well to suggest to the Secretary of the Treasury some ideas on a
mode of offering lands for sale in Europe directly on account of the
United States. It seems that the troubles in Brabant are to be acted
over again & that those in France are by no means at an end. An
office opened at Dunkerque under proper checks & superintended by
the minister here would do a great deal of business, I have no doubt.
I ought to mention that there is reason to believe that many letters from
the emigrants are stopped as well as some of mine & that some of those
fellows are corrupted by a French consul. Bergen t De Frond ville has
lately written from New York one of the most infamous letters that
ever was seen. He says he has been to the lands that they are not
habitable, that the settlers must all return & go to the Islands or
starve. That the settlement of Marietta consists of a few little log
huts, the people in a starving condition, that Pittsburg is a poor mis-
erable place, in short there are no provisions in the country & there
never can be. If this fellow has been to the lands, he must have
been charged with letters from the emigrants — he has sent on none — but
seems to be on his return on purpose to blast the whole affair. This
same fellow has been famous for writing bad letters ever since he ar-
rived. If an)rthing farther is to be done in the business (or even if
there is not, it would be for the interest of the public) some Amer-
ican ought to make it an indispensible duty to make every creature of
them write, that can write, & tell their friends that the lands are good
& that they are happy, let them all tell their own story* every one
that is not heard from will be supposed to be dead.
I am dear friend, Yours sincerely,
J. Barlow.
* These letters ought careiiilly to be taken charge of & forwarded to Europe.
If they were under corer to the ministers here it would not be amiss. This single
attention would probably induce thousands of people & some of them persons of prop-
erty & artists to go to that country even if no more lands were sold in Europe.
81
Digitized by
Google
XII
(LETTERS OF RUFUS PUTNAM.)
(Rufiis Putnam to M. Guioo, New York, March 9, 1790; Roiiis Patnam to Col.
Ducr, New York, May i, 1790; Ruftis Putnam to Col. Ducr, May 28, and May 30,
1790. General Rufus Putnam one of the leading members of the Ohio Co., and the
head of the founders of Marietta was also interested in the Scioto speculation. He
was the principal agent of the Scioto Co. in the west. Major Isaac Guioo was en-
gaged by the company to take charge of the French emigrants and lead them to Alex-
andria, Va., to their proposed town on the Ohio. This he accomplished and remained
at Gallipolis for some little time after the arrival of the French at that place. For
these letters Cf. Gal. Paps, I, 155-9.)
New York, March 9th, 1790,
Sir\
The object of your going to Alexandria is to meet a number of
people expected very soon, if they have not already arrived from
France, who have purchased lands in the western country of Joel Bar-
low, Esqr. agent for the Scioto Company — these people have a Super-
intendent or agent with them to whom you will make yourself and
business known; but-in doing this some address will be necessary, be-
cause it will be improper that your business should be known to any
other person or that you have any knowledge of Mr. Barlow and his
agency in Europe — when you have made up your acquaintance with
the principal person among these people, you will inform him that in
consequence of letters received from Mr. Barlow, Mr. John Vanleer
at Red Stone on the Monongahala River has received orders from
General Putnam to provide boats and provisions, and that a number
of good labourers will be ready to go down and assist them in their
operations through the summer, & everything is put in train to make
their circumstances as agreeable as possible — that General Putnam who
conducted the first Settlers at Muskingum and is well acquainted in the
country will be at Alexandria,* as soon as the roads are sufficiently dry
for wagons to cross the mountains — ^which it is presumed will not be
till the latter end of April — in the meantime it will be best they
should remain at Alexandria unless on enquiry you find they can be
better accommodated at Winchester or some other Country Town on
road to Red Stone, they will have no occasion to lay in any stock
of provisions to carry them on except for a few days at a time as
they may be easily provided on the road, and in the neighborhood
at Red Stone and below any quantity of Flour, Pork and whiskey
may be procured very cheap.
82
Digitized by
Google
You will advise their agent that it will be best their cannection
with Mr. Barlow and real destination should not be known to the
people of Virginia till General Putnam arrives or you hear further
from me; but that they should give out that they are bound to Mus-
kingum where they expect such information as will enable them to
fix on some particular place for settlement. You will befriend them
in procuring accommodation and temporary supplies in such man-
ner as will prevent their being imposed on from being strangers in
the country and not speaking the Language.
It will also be necessary that you aseertain as far as possible the
best route to Red Stone, the price of waggonage and where they can
be best procured. On your arrival at Alexandria you will write me
immediately whether any of these people are arrived or not, and you
will keep me informed of everything respecting them or any others
coming out that shall come to your knowledge.
New York, May ist, 1790.
Sir:
The other evening you desired me to state my Ideas of the busi-
ness proposed to be entrusted to Capt. Guihon in compliance with
which I propose the following for the consideration of the Trustees,
as a general System, viz : —
Mr. Guihon to go to Alexandria to assist the agents in taking up
lodging, provisions, Teams, and every other matter they may want to
purchase or hire, both at Alexandria and on their way to Red Stone
or place of Embarkation, to see that the Settlers are not imposed on
from their not Speaking the language or not knowing the price of arti-
cles; he should ascertain the best route, stages & accomodations with
the cheapest mode of Transportation whether wagons or pack horses
or both are best to make use of and the practicability of Sending
goods by water to Fort Cumberland or not; he should correspond
with Mr. Backers at Red Stone; should notifie him of his approach
and expected lime of the settlers arrival at that place with their num-
bers and wants that such provision as their own agents shall require
may be made in season for their accomodation, he should undoubt-
edly go on with the first party who shall cross the mountains to Red
Stone, but his trying their proceeding down the river with the set-
tlers or returning to Alexandria must depend on circiunstances and
the determination of the Agents who come from Europe — the money
he will want depends on the advance the Trustees conclude to make —
83
Digitized by
Google
by Mr. Barlow's letters I conceive the European agents will pay all
the expenses from time to time in this quarter, except that of keeping
Mr. Guyhon or some other person to assist them in this quarter.
The moment Mr. Backus has executed his orders at Red Stone &c.
&c. he will set out to meet the Settlers to assist them in crossing the
mountains and of this Mr. Guihon should be informed.
Mr. Backus or some other person should be continued in the
neighbourhood of Red Stone for the purpose of procuring Boats and
provisions for the Settlers, but to what extent is altogether uncertain
at present, and depends on the numbers that shall arrive, and the
arrangements their agents shall make, therefore beyond his present
orders I think Mr. Backus ought not to go till the Trustees shall set-
tle some arrangements with the European agents who are expected
out with the Settlers.
Major ^umham should proceed immediately to the big Kenhawa
and begin his operations of clearing and Hut building, and if pos-
sible be down in season to put in some corn. The pay of Major
Bumham and his people for six months amounts to 2664 Dolls; the
order given to Mr. Backus and McFarland amount to 4520. Provi-
sion should be made for discharging these debts agreeably to the pro-
positions made the parties, and the money sent on in Season and
lodged with Suitable persons for the purpose.
WeLLSBURGH AT THE MOUTH OF BUFFALOE,
May 28TH, 1790.
Dear Sir:
I wrote you on the 20th instant from Sumralls Ferry, advising of
the scarcity of provisions in this quarter, that No Credit or any
means but money would procure them, & very little was to be had at
any rate, that these circumstances absolutely forbad the emigrants
from crossing the mountains till after harvest.
I find on conversing with Mr. McFarland that I was rightly
informed by Mr. Backus, and am warranted in saying it will be im-
possible to procure bread for the Scioto Settlers Should they come on
immediately, they must therefore at all events be prevented crossing
' the mountains at present, nor will it be in the power of Mr. McFar-
land by any means in his hands or on the credit of any man living to
procure any considerable supply in future, in short you ought to rely
on Cash only as the means of procuring Supplys for several months
to come, for I conceive nothing else will induce people to thrash their
grain before the usual time.
84
Digitized by
Google
You ought also immediately to concert measures for procuring
provisions for these and others expected from Europe both the present
and ensuing year, for in consequence of the high price now given
and free permission to Transport Flour to New Orleans large quanti-
ties will be sent down the River the coming fall and winter; the
present scarcity will oblige people to begin on their new crops several
months earlier than usual — ^these circumstances with the unpromising
appearance of the Crops now on the ground renders it highly proba-
ble that Flour will be dear the next as well as the present Summer; if
therefore you wish to secure the Scioto settlers against the inconveni-
ence of such probable scarcity ; if you wish to purchase provisions
of all kinds on the best terms you must begin early in the fall. No-
vember and December is the usual time for killing beef and pork in
this country, when it may be purchased much cheaper than after-
wards ; these months and through the winter, Wheat, Rye & Indian
com will probably be sold twenty-five per cent, lower than the next
June. And sure I am that unless the Trustees or the French agents
shall take the advantage of the fall and winter season to lay in
sufficient Magazines of provisions for all that have or shall arrive
either the present or ensuing year, the proprietors as wdl as the
settlers must suffer greatly in their interest. Should the Trustees be
of my opinion in this & determine on purchasing a supply perhaps
the establishing a few stores in the best provision part of the country
furnished with goods & a sufficient quantity of cash to enable them
to pay money when necessary may answer the purpose as well or
better than to depend on cash altogether ; but in whatever way you
propose to obtain the supplies you ought to put the business into the
hands of some mercantile character in whom you can place confidence
and who should have all the business under his direction (for my own
' part I understand nothing of mercantile matters, nor will the duty I
owe the public, my own private affairs and other engagements suffer
me to meddle with this were I ever so well qualified. ) I shall reli-
giously attend to the necessary arrangements in providing for and
employing Major Bumham's people as well as the Locations and
surveys it is incumbent on the Trustees to make to the settlers to fulfill
the engagements which Mr. Barlow may have made to them ; but as
to procuring supplies and furnishing them to the settlers or their
agents it is impossible for me to take any care whatever of it, and I
give you this early notice that some suitable person may be seasonably
provided for the purpose. I have a good opinion of Mr. Backus &
85
Digitized by
Google
several others in this quarter who I could recommend for their abilities
& integrity & who will make good assistants, but I know of none
whose mercantile knowledge & circumstances are such as I should be
willing to be responsible for as your chief Factor, you must I think
send your principle from New York or somewhere on the East side
the mountains.
I have requested Mr. Backus, to set out-nnmediately for Alexandria
to assist the French agents in conducting the settlers over the mount-
ains &c. — if he meets any of the Trustees there he will deliver a
duplicate of this letter to them and if not he will come to New York
unless Major Rochefontaine shall detain him in which case he will
forward my letter by the rail.
None of the settlers being on with Teams, Tools &c. as was
expected when Major Bumham's company was ordered to be raised
several articles must be supplied which it was expected they would
have furnished & which will occasion considerable additional expense.
I shall enclose you an estimate of the whole expense to the first of
December, exclusive of any suppl)rs to the settlers & my own personal
time & expenses, and must entreat that you will send on a sufficient
sum of money by Mr. Backus or some trusty person, to me or in my
absence to Col. Meigs at Muskingum to discharge the debts agreeably
to contract; this Sir, is a circumstance that must be particularly
attended to for besides the discredit it would bring on the company
should there be a failure on our part in paying Bumham's people they
may take it in their heads to leave us at a time when we most need
their labor.
I must entreat that you will forward to me as soon as possible a
copy of the sales which Mr. Barlow has made to the people who have
arrived that I may be able in some measure to detail the business of
surveys before I return to New England for my family.
N. B. I have desired Mr. McFarland to inform the Trustees
what provisions he shall be able to obtain in the course of the fall
with the means now in his power & also to give you his opinion of
the best mode to be pursued for securing a general supply in future.
I have the honor to be Sir with every sentiment of respect your
humble servant, Rufus Putnam.
Col. Duer.
P. S. You must not omit applying to the Secretary of War for a
Company or a part of a Company of the troops now in the Western
86
Digitized by
Google
Country to be stationed at our French settlement as soon at least as
the settlers arrive, & it would be for our interest if the measure could
be adopted much sooner. May 30th. We leave this place within
one hour — The Trustees are much obliged to Mr. McFarland for his
exertions ; he has given us a full supply of flour for 4^ months at 4
Dollars per barrel when without his assistance I am sure it could not
have been obtained under 6 or 7.
SuMRELLS, Fairy on the Youghiogana River,
May 30TH, 1790.
Dear Sir:
I arrived here last evening where I found Mr. Backus and Major
Bumham (with his party) I learn that provisions are excessively scarce
and dear. Flour eight dollars per barrel, Indian com one dollar, 33
cents per bushel, none to be had without cash in hand and very little
for it — it will be with the greatest difficulty we shall be able to pro-
cure provisions for Major Bumham' s people till after harvest — these
circumstances absolutely forbids the emigrant from crossing the
mountains till after the new crops come in (which perhaps may be in
August, but little will be thrashed till September). Mr. Backus
informs me that Mr. McFarland could not procure any flour or com
without his advancing the cash to pay for it, from these circumstances,
viz : the high price of provisions and that nothing but cash will pro-
cure them, you must be sensible that a further supply of cash will be
soon wanted, but before I can be p)articular I must see McFarland
when you shall hear from me again — In the meantime (I regret it)
the emigrants must not cross the mountains at present, and make your
arrangements to send on more money in a short time.
Bumham 's party will set off in three or four days and every
exertion will be made in erecting Posts, &c.
XIII.
I. GUION TO WILLIAM DUER.
(Letters dated Alexandria, May 31 and June 2, 1790. See No. XII. For these
letters Cf. Gal. Paps. I, 159.)
Alexandria, 31ST May, 1790.
My dear Sir^
The determination of marching with part of the people which I
mentioned in my last to you has had an excellent effect — the report
87
Digitized by
Google
had no sooner got abroad amongst the unreasonable acqucrirs^
than they saw their weakness in being divided, and that there
would be less probability, of having their demands complied
with.
Boulogne at first began to reason with me on the bad policy of it,
but finding me inflexible at length gave into it but faintly. A Mr.
Thory and Laforge, two of the most unreasonable, finding us arrang-
ing for the march waited on Mr. Barth and asked him for his advice;
he told them that they had not consulted with him when they made *
their demands and that he could not advise them now — ^pretending
ignorance of the natiu-e of their demands and the answers they had
received, and what Franks &c. had written — he told them however
that he thought that they had better go on with us. I find a much
more considerable number ready to go on with us than I at first
imagined would go.
Mr. D'Hebecourt & Mr. Rome & others, have requested the paper
signed by Mr. Franks & Co. that if the business should fail, that is,
if the rest do not follow — that the company shall be at the charge of
transporting their baggage back to this place if they choose to return
from Winchester, the place I mean to halt them at. By every
accoimt I can get I think they will be much better satisfied there than
here for a variety of reasons. I mean at all events to set off before
your answer to their demands could possibly return. If you can
come here yourself do it by all means, it will have the best possible
effect. I wish most heartily you had never sent Mr. Boulogne — ^he
pleads indisposition and says he must stay till another Post, I am sure
it is feigned, and that it is done only to see if we do not win over his
party. You must be aware of him — do not think that I have any
prejudices that lead me to say this of him — ^I declare to you I have
not — I am on the best of terms with him, and he rather thinks I lean
to his side than otherwise.
I wrote yesterday to General Putnam by one of the men engaged
under Captn. Bumham, he left at Red Stone twenty seven of that
company when he came away, which was the loth inst. but his
account of the lowness is a circumstance which may be embarrassing ;
but when there we must do the best we can.
I shall write to you fully by the next P6st. as Boulogne must be
really sick or will have no excuse to remain here longer and I mean
if possible to set off for Winchester the same day.
88
Digitized by
Google
Alexandria, 2d June, 1790.
Dear Sir^
I hope when you receive this you will be on your way here, where
your presence is absolutely necessary.
In my last to you I mentioned my determination of marching with
part on Saturday next, since that they have had another meeting and
have agreed to wait your answer. Messrs. Barth and Thiebout who
were, and are, disposed to do what is proper, offer for reasons that
the purchasers will have nothing to say, if after your determination,
they go with their people, which they will do, they say, let the result
be what it may.
Should another vessel arrive before we get away a part of those
now hw^e, such disorder will very probably ensue, as may put an end
to the business, and a report is in town that another vessel is in the Bay.
There is here a Mr. Mamie, from towards Pittsburgh, who is not
your friend, nor that of the company. On hearing your name men-
tioned by Mr. Barth, I observed him closely. There are several of
them connected & I am certain doing all in their power to corrupt
these people ; they are artful, & some of them wealthy. What you
do must be done quickly, as much expense will attend every delay &
perhaps the total failure of a business that promises everything if but
rightly managed.
Mr. Boulogne, will hand this to you, he will be able to give you
the true detail, if his partiality for his party will let him. I am sorry
he ever came to this place. Franks informs you with the particulars
of the last meeting. I shall still endeavor to change them from their
last resolution, and if possible, get a part of them away as this to me
seems the only sure means of success.
XIV.
PETITION OF FRENCH EMIGRANTS.
(Original manuscript or very old copy of the Petition of the French emigrants
then at Gallipolis to the agents of the Ohio G>mpan7, Dec. 17, 1795. This petition
explains itself. For document, Of. Gal. Paps.y I, 121.)
To THE Agents of the Ohio Company.
The French Inhabitants of Gallipolis by their Agents Matthew
Berthelot, Peter Bureau and R. J. Meigs take the Liberty to lay be-
fore them the following Memorial :
In the Year 1789 appeared at Paris Joel Barlow esq. agent of a
89
Digitized by
Google
Company by the Name of the Scioto Company, & by his Sub-agents
Messrs Playfair & DeSoisson, offered for Sale large quantities of Land,
lying in the Western Territories, a plan of which Lands were exhib-
ited, for the Information of those who wish to become purchasers,
which included the Lands, opposite & below the Great Kanhawa,
(in the Ohio Company's Purchase) in which general Plan was in-
cluded that of a City to be situated opposite the Mouth of the Great
Kanhawa, a considerable quantity of those Lands were purchased by
us — also a number of City Lots, to be chosen by us, out cf the City
Lots so designated by the said Plan. Possession of all which were
to be delivered immediate upon our Arrival.
Upon our arrival from France to Alexandria, we finding no
agent, or arrangements made by Mr. Duer the Superintendent of the
Scioto Company (as had been promised) for transporting accross the
Mountains, we sent to Col. Duer, who sent Col. Franks as his agent
to negotiate with us, relative to the expenses of our Delay at Alex-
andria & other matters incident to our Situation:
Col. Franks, & other agents of Mr. Duer then engaged, as a Com-
pensation for our expenses incurred at Alexandria, that the Scioto
Comply should grant to each of the purchasers, among us one City
Lot and one four acre Ix)t adjacent to said City.
In the meantime the Scioto Comply finding the Lands they had
sold us in France, belonged to the Ohio Company, negociated a Con-
tract with the Ohio Company by Messrs. Duer, Flint & Craige of
the part & Messrs. Putnam & Cutler Directors of the Ohio Company
on the other four part of those I^nds they had sold in France, in
order to fulfill their Engagements with the purchasers & a right of
Entry was given by Messrs Putnam & Cutler. In Consequence of the
said Contract, & such right of Entry, the Scioto Co. proceeded to
lay out the Town of Gallipolis for the fulfillment of their Contracts
with us, who after long & expensive Journeys, arrived at Gallipolis.
Major Guyon Agent for the Scioto Company at Gallipolis, pro-
ceeded to designate by the Choice of the Purchasers to them the Lots
sold in France, next by the drought the City Lots & four acre I^ts
engaged at Alexandria, as aforesaid, & lastly to sell in behalf of the
Scioto Company other City & four acre Lots for which he received in
many Instances immediate payment.
In this situation under these Circumstances & Assurances we have
proceeded to clear, occupy & build indiscriminately upon the City &
four acre Lots, not in the least doubting but that we should receive
90
Digitized by
Google
from the Scioto Company Sufficient Titles, to the Lots so assigned.
But our Expectations are disappointed by the failure of Mr. Duer, &
the Lands we are upon belonging to the Ohio Com'y.^
(After the failure of Mr. Duer, Mr. Craige one of those who con-
tracted with, the 2 Directors of the Ohio Comp'y finding the Scioto
Comp'y unable to complete their Contract with the Ohio Comp'y, for
the Lands, & being then a Proprietor of 5 Shares in the Ohio Com-
pany; purchased at New York on the day of relinquished,
& transferred to the Ohio Company his aforesaid 5 shares as a Com-
pensation for the damages the Ohio Comp'y Sustained by the failure
of the Scioto Comp'y in Executing their Contract and the Contract
was annulled & given up on both sides. And thus it has become im-
possible for the Scioto Comp'y to fulfill their Contracts with us rela-
tive to the Lands at Gallipolis. )
(And further we beg leave to state that if the Expenses of the
Ohio Company attending the negociation between the Scioto & Ohio
Company, do not amount to the Value of the 5 Shares so transferred
& relinquished by Mr. Craige, that the Ohio Comp'y have gained an
acquisition — ^an acquisition of so much Value, as the amount of the
difference, between those Expenses, & the Value of the 5 Shares so
relinquished and transferred. If then there be to the Ohio Comply
any acquisition, we consider that indirectly it accrued by our Means,
in some measure, for had not we contracted for those Lands, with the
Scioto Comp'y, the Scioto Comp'y would not have contracted with
the Ohio Comp'y, for them, & if the Ohio Comp'y had not con-
tracted, they would not have received from Mr. Craige the 5 Shares
for the non-performence of the Contract — & further that the Ohio
Comp'y have suffered, but we by the failure of the Contract and
further that by our settlement we have augmented the value of the O.
Co. Lands in that quarter of the purchase — we do not pretend to
have upon the Ohio Comp'y any Claim in Law for those Lands —
Although we were not parties to the Contract between the Ohio
Comp'y & Scioto Comp'y, yet we have entered upon those Lands
with the knowledge & Consent of the Ohio Comp'y & have resided
on them to this time, we trust our Situation will be taken into Con-
sideration.)
(Confiding in the Scioto Comp'y we have paid for the Lands we
occupy, our resources have been exhausted by long Voyages and Jour-
nejrs & by Improvements upon those Lands which we now find not
our own, & being satisfied the Ohio Comp'y would not wish to reap
91
Digitized by
Google
from us the fruits of our Labours, & gain an acquisition by our Loss,
we request the Ohio Comply to grant to us so much of the Land
relinquished to the Ohio Comp'y by Mr. Craige, as shall include the
Town of Gallipolis & the four acre Lots adjacent thereto, if the
residue of the Lands relinquished by Mr. Craige will defray the
expenses which the Ohio Comply incurred relative to that Negociation
between the Ohio Comply & Scioto Comp'y.)
(These Circxunstances we wish the agents of the Ohio Comp'y to
take into consideration & grant our request. ) P. Bureau,
(Marietta, Decr. 7, 1795.) R. J. Meigs, Jxw.
♦ Therefore we request that the agent of the Ohio Company,
would bargain & sell unto us the fractional parts of mile Squares No.
(28) and number (34) of the third Township of the fourteenth
Range, for such price as shall be agreed on, & subject to such
conditions & Regulations as they shall deem expedient & proper.
Marietta, Decr. 17, 1795.
fP. Bureau,
Signed — j M. Barthelot,
^R. J. Meigs, Jr.
The statements contained in that part of the document embraced in the brackets
were erased in the original ms. by the mutual consent of the parties concerned. The
Ohio Co. refused to give the French the land on which their town stood and the
French changed their request in that they asked that the land in question be sold them
at a nominal price. (See that portion of ms. following the brackets). The petition
as then amended was granted.
92
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
i' J AH Cn;.:03 "1
^f^'D-'^E, St^^
L
The Quarteriy Publication of
the nistoricul and Philosoph-
ical Society of Ohio
CINCINNATI OHIO
Vol. II. 1907. No. 3
JULY-SEPTEMBER
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Burnet fFoods^ - Cincinnati^ Ohio
OFFICERS
JOSEPH WILBY, -
FRANK J. JONES, -
HOWARD C. HOLUSTER,
CHARLES T. GREVE, -
President.
Vice-President.
Vice-President.
Corresponding Secretary.
GERRIT S. SYKES, .... - Recording Secretary.
ALBERT H. CHATFIELD, - - Treasurer.
MISS L. BELLE HAMLIN, - - - Librarian.
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS,
DAVIS L. JAMES,
MERRICK WHITCOMB, - - - }• Curators.
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW,
CHARLES J. LIVINGOOD. -
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Quarterly Publication of the His-
torical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Vol. II, 1907. No. 3
JULY-SEPTEMBER
Selections from the Torrence Papers, III
Arranged and Edited by
ISAAC JOSLIN cox,
Assistant Professor of History, University of Cincinnati.
PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM
CINCINNATI. OHIO
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Entered as second-class matter June 12, 1906, at the post-office at Cincinnati,
Ohio, under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
JUN 8 1903
rr/
. /'ji' yC^tuM.
7
Committee in Charge of Publication
CHARLES T. GREVE.
MERRICK WHITCOMB.
Digitized by
Google
ANNUAL REPORT
Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
For the Year Ending
December 2, 1907
CINCINNATI
PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM
Digitized by VjOOQIC
30
There are eight brick yards. They lie in the western
part of the Bottom, near the second bank, which is the lowest
portion of the site of the town. They abound in pools, the
water of which has been drained from almost every part of
the town.
The shambles of our butchers are fixed on the bank of
Deer creek, to the N. and N.E. of the town. The tan-
neries are in the same direction.
The population of Cincinnati and its suburbs is 2320 souls.
Of which number 1227 are males, 1013 females, and 80 are
negroes. The number of children under 16 years is 1051.
The number of persons over 45 years is 184. The number
who have attained to the Scriptural limit of human life, three
score and ten, is not known; but as men who have pa«5sed
60 years of age, do not often emigrate to new and distant
countries, instances of great longevity are not to be expected
here. Indeed from the recent settlement of this place, few
or none of its adult inhabitants are its natives. They have
emigrated from every state in the union, and from most of
the countries in the west of Europe ; more especially Ireland,
England, Germany and Scotland. The American emigrants
have been supplied principally by the states north of
Virginia.
A population derived from such distant sources, and so recently
brought together, must necessarily exhibit much physical, as
well as moral diversity. The climate and soil have not yet
introduced an uniform constitution of body; nor customs,
manners and laws an uniform moral character. The inha-
bitants are generally laborious. By far the greatest number
are mechanics. The rest are chiefly merchants, professional
men, and teachers. Wealth is distributed more after the
manner of the northern, than southern states; and few or
none are so independent, as to live without engaging in some
kind of business.
A great portion of the inhabitants are temperate. There
are not a few, however, who daily but quietly become intox-
icated, and no very inconsiderable number have been known
to fall victims to that habit. Whiskey is in universal, but
not exclusive use, among the intemperate: beer and cider
are generally drunk by those of more sobriety. Well water
is generally drunk in the summer; and used otherwise by a
few, throughout the whole year. But the water of the river
drawn up in barrels, is employed for all domestic purposes
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
31
by far the greatest number, and is drunk throughout half
the year by at least half the inhabitants.
The use of tobacco, among the male sex, is much too
general. It is not confined to those who might derive bene-
fit or comfort from it, but extends, with the usual number
of exceptions, to all ages, from ten years old, upwards.
The diet of the inhabitants is similar to that of the people
of the other middle, and eastern states. Green tea and coilee
are in general and extensive use. Fresh meats are eaten in
great quantities. Beef, more especially in the summer and
autumn, is used to the exclusion of most other meats, in a
great many families. The market is well supplied with cu-
linary vegetables. Fermented wheat bread is in very gen-
eral use. It is commonly eaten fresh, but hot bread is much
seldomer served up here, than in the southern states. Indian
corn bread is by no means uncommon. Rye is almost un-
known as an article of food. Fish are not a principal article
of diet, though the river affords many.
The dress of our inhabitants is similar to that of the other
inhabitants of the middle states. The females injure their
health by dressing too thin, and both sexes by not accom-
modating the quantity of clothing to the changes of the
weather. The amusments of balls and other evening par-
ties, so destructive to female health in all parts of the United
States, are engaged in here, but not to remarkable excess.
No natural or artificial mineral waters are used here in
the summer; nor are there any artificial baths. Bathing
in the river is practiced by some, but is less regular and gene-
ral than it ought to be.
Digitized by
Google
32
V. Diseases.
Having, in the precceding sections, taken a cursory view
of the physical condition of Cincinnati and its vicinity, we
are now prepared for a few enquiries respecting the diseases
of its inhabitants. These enquiries, however, will be limited
to the fulfillment of a promise, incautiously made, upon dis-
tributing the previous sections of these memoranda ; before
the magnitude of such a work as the Medical History of a
new region was fully appreciated. Nothing more, there-
fore, will be attempted, than briefly to indicate the principal
endemic diseases, and their supposed sources.
MIASMATA.
From the topographical survey in the first section of these
Notices, it will be readily seen, that Cincinnati is not naturally
obnoxious to many sources of MARSH MIASMATA. The
river beach opposite the town, is narrow, and, neither it,
nor the bank exhibits much decomposable matter. The
lower and back part of the bottom, afford some portions of
ground, that are yearly overflown by the spring rains; but
they might be easily drained, and therefore may be ranked
with the artificial causes, which may be always removed. It
is to the inundated interval lands about the mouth of Mill-
creek, that we are to look for the most prolific source of ve-
getable miasmata. This miasmata, however, affects the
town much less than might be supposed, from the following
causes: — 1. The drowned lands lie so much to the N.W.
that through the summer and autumn the town is but
seldom to the leeward of them ; the prevailing winds then
being from the S.W. During the present autumn, when
few or no, cases of ague and fever existed in town, a great
number of the inhabitants, to the leeward of those grounds,
experienced that disease. 2. Of that tract, a large propor-
tion is covered with trees. It should have been left, as
nature prepared it for us, entirely covered. Where a tract
of wet ground can be rendered permanently dry, it should be
cleared and cultivated; but when it is subject to annual in-
undation, the case is different. The more completely the
Digitized by
Google
33
rays of the sun are then intercepted, the lower will be the
temperature of the earth's surface, and the less the quantity
of noxious gas evolved. 3. Between those intervals and the
town, grows a forest of tall trees. There arc strong reasons
for believing, that the poisonous exhalation from marshes is
hydrocarbonate.* Now this substance is readily decompo-
sed by vegetables.t But whether the gas evolved, be a hy-
drocarbonate, or .according to our very ingenious country-
man. Professor Mitchell, an oxyd of septon,t (which latter
substance, however, it has not, I believe, been proven, is de-
composed by vegetables) the efficiency of trees in intercept-
ing its progress, and destroying its virulence, is established
by numerous authorities.§ This forest should, therefore, be
considered in the light of a rampart against a perpetual enemy,
and preserved in the most sacred manner.
The artificial sources of miasmata, are not more numerous
than the natural, but they are much more operative. The
back part of the bottom, througl^out its whole length, is a
* hot-bed' of animal and vegetable putrefaction. In some pla-
ces, it is true, the ground has been raised (not with any re-
gard to health, but to render it cultivable) those parts, how-
ever, make much the smallest proportion. The eastern end
of this slip of low ground is a broad shallow canal, which
conveys the water that falls on the site of the town, satura-
ted with nuisances, to the pits of the brick yards; from
whence neither it, nor the putrescent load can escape, except
in the form of exhalation or gas. For its escape in this
manner the heat of our summer sun, increased by the reflec-
tion from the contiguous high bank, is amply sufficient.
Upon learning this state of things, observing and reflecting
men, who have been accustomed to trace the acknowledged
connection between endemic fevers and the spontaneous de-
composition of animal and vegetable matter, would not hesi-
tate to pronounce, a priori ^That our principal febrile
diseases, and more especially the typhous affections that have,
as will be stated hereafter, scourged us for a twelve month
past, are most probably owing to the exhalations here spoken
of. But to proceed cautiously, and avoid all possibility of
*See Chisholm on Fever, vol. 1.
tSee Fourcroy's System of Chem. Knowl.
tSee Medical Repository.
jSee the writings of Rush, Jackson and Barnwell.
Digitized by
GooglQ
34
error in our conclusions, it wilt be well to take some addi-
tional views.
Upon the settlement of this town, fevers of the typhous
kind were not uncommon. They arose, as in all newly set-
tled tracts, from the putrefaction which followed the destruc-
tion of the forest and exposure to the rays of the sun of a
moist fertile surface. As this was a transient cause, the effect
was not permanent, and a period succeeded, which was
comparatively healthy. But this state of things was not very
durable. The flood of emigration to this place, which
commenced in 1805, required such a rapid increase of houses,
and consequently of bricks, that in less than three years, the
number of brick yards, which previous to 1805 did not exceed
two or three, was augmented to eight. The accumulation
of filth in those pits which were first dug, had been constant-
ly going forward, so that the quantity of exhalation in 1809
and 10 may be estimated at more than ten times as much as
it was seven years before. Now it is notorious, that during
those years there occurred more malignant cases, of those
diseases which are generally, but improperly termed putrid,
than had presented themselves for the seven, or even ten
preceding years. Further — These typhous affections pre-
vailed most in December, 1809, but during that month not
a single case presented itself east of Main-street, which nearly
bisects the town. In the course of the ensuing year cases
occurred in the other half of the town, more especially in
the eastern end, which is to the leeward of a shallow pond,
that has been a common receptacle of filth for more than ten
years. The western parts, however, have still been more
sickly than any others. Again — December, 1809, was a
warm moist month, with southerly winds; and there was
not only more sickness during that month than any other, but
it occurred chiefly to the leeward of the ponds. Towards
the close of January it became so cold that the mercury in
Fahrenheit's thermometer sunk 7 dcg. below 0, and not a sin-
gle case of typhus occurred in the practice of either Dr.
Allison, Dr. Sellman, or myself, for a month afterwards.
February was mild, and in the beginning of March, the
disease returned. It became more healthy in April and the
first half of May, but the latter half of that month was in-
tensely hot, and new cases immediately followed; some of
them exhibiting symptoms of great malignity. The rest of
the year was temperate, even cool, and cases of the same
Digitized by
Google
35
disease have now and then presented themselves. Thus we
see, that those inhabitants contiguous to, and to the leeward
of the alledged sources of disease, have been its greatest vic-
tims, and that its appearance and disappearance have been
considerably influenced by those states of the atmos-
phere, which were capable of affecting the progress of
putrefaction. It is not believed, however, that this is
the sole cause, that has operated in these cases. Sydenham,
more than a century ago, unfolded the existence of sickly
states, or constitutions of the atmosphere, during which all
the acute diseases that occurred, appeared to partake of cer-
tain characteristics in common. Professor Rush, and some
other American writers, have, with equal precision and
greater science, pointed out the existence of such constitutions
in the United States. An atmospheric temperament of this
kind appears to have existed in this part of the country for
some time past; its tendency seems to have been to favor
the production of typhous diseases. This temperament is a
predisposing cause. The exciting cause is the miasm or
noxious exhalation of which we have been speaking; and
wherever such an agent exists, whether. in town, or in the
adjoining country, these diseases may be produced.
From these tedious but necessary details, it is thought that
the opinion of the insalubrity of those ponds is sufliciently
corroborated ; and it only remains to suggest the means of
removing such a potent cause of disease. This is easily done.
The gravel, sand and pebbles of the adjoining second bank,
form a cheap, convenient and proper material for filling up
the pits, except such as are necessary to furnish water for the
manufacture of bricks; and it is earnestly hoped that such
an important object will no longer be neglected.
Of our cemeteries, it may be remarked, that the one at-
tached to the methodist church, from the limited number
that are interred in it, will not very soon evolve much mias-
mata, and what it may ever produce is too much to the lee-
ward of the town to be a general injury; but the case is
different with that of the Presbyterian church. Whenever
the population about // becomes dense enough to prevent a
free circulation of air, and the interments have become
double or treble what they now are, its exhalations must
inevitably produce disease. No time, therefore, should be
lost, in fixing on a new field for sepulture, without the pale
Digitized by
Google
36
of population, whither the contents of the present should
be removed.
The shambles of our butchers, and the tanneries, if they
be sources of miasmata, are injurious only when the N. E.
wind prevails. At present they have no perceptible agency
in the production of our endemics.
These appear to comprehend all the sources of koino-mi-
asmata, and it only remains in this part of the subject, to
notice two or three cases of the production of idio-miasmata.
Typhus fever has been observed, here, as in other places, to
be produced by a domestic cause; for the generation of
which, want of cleanliness and want of free ventilation, seem
necessary. The latter however, probably has most efficiency.
1 have observed these circumstances to exist in healthy parts
of the town without producing typhus, so constantly as in the
sickly parts; so that the public and domestic causes seem
sometimes to co-operate. In one instance of this kind,
where a large family lodged in a close room of an old wood-
en house, which stood in the western part of the Bottom,
one or two cases of typhus mitior, and two cases of malig-
nant and fatal typhus gravior occurred, cotemporaneously,
during a warm winter month. Means were employed to
effect free ventilation, and no new cases appeared. It is
from such instances as these, that the opinion, that typhus is
infectious, has arisen. I can assert from observation, that it
is not. I have never seen it extend to more than one or two,
in a house that was clean, well ventilated, and its inhabitants
were lodged in seperate apartments. But it is unnecessary to
urge facts against an hypothesis chat is already exploded,
v/ If the constant use of fresh beef, and other unsalted meats,
in the summer and autumn, be a cause of disease, it must be
noticed in this place. But it has not appeared from observa-
tion, that they have had much agency in producing the in-
testinal affections which have prevailed here. Vegetable
aliment may produce the exciting, cause of that kind of head-
ach which depends on the presence of acetous acid in the
stomach, provided that organ be previously debilitated ; and
if the stomach and intestines be in a state of debility, fresh
meats may suffer spontaneous decomposition, the oxyd of
septon be generated, and all the varieties of intestinal disease
produced. In this way, during the debilitating influence of
a koi no-miasmata atmosphere, the animal fibre received into
the alimentary canal may be chemically decomposed, and
Digitized by
Google
37
produce a disease of the dysenteric kind, which, without such
an exciting cause, might have been a fever. In those cases,
where a large number of persons have suddenly had dysen-
tery, induced by eating fresh beef, it probably at first acted
in a manner similar to that of any other article of diet, to
which the stomach and bowels had not been habituated : it
excited simple diarrhoea, this debilitated the digestive organs,
the production of septous oxyd ensued, and the phenomena
of dysentery followed.
VARIATIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE.
Neither the cold, nor heat, of the climate of this country,
appears to produce many diseases. The former is sometimes
so great as to freeze the extremities of those who are expo-
sed; but death has seldom or never been produced by it.
Goitre and scurvy, if they be dependent upon cold in other
latitudes, are certainly not among its effects here. The heat
of our summers appears also to produce but few diseases.
The coup de soleil, or stroke of the sun is unknown ; and
death from the inordinate use of well water, so common in
Philadelphia, from some cause is scarcely known here.
Langour and oppression are, however, frequently experien-
ced to a distressing degree, more especially upon the sudden
accession of hot weather in May and June. Rashes, or cu-
taneous efflorescences of various kinds, appear to depend on
the heat of the summer. Children are much more liable to
them than adults. They are certainly diseases, but need
not to be dreaded, as they are unattended with danger, and
their presence may protect the system from more formidable
complaints. Febricula, or inward fever, and anorexia, are
not uncommon in the hotest weather, but they seldom outlive
their cause, and do not often render medical assistance ne-
cessary.
But if the extremes of temperature separately, be compa-
ratively harmless, at this place, their sudden alternation is a
most fruitful source of disease. By those, however, who
skilfully accommodate their dresses and domestic fires to these
variations, but little bad effect is ever felt. But among the
imprudent, the exposed, and those who are predisposed to
the diseases excited by this cause, it produces the worst ef-
fects. In the spring and autumn, the diurnal variations,
which are greater than in summer, tend to excite intermitting
F
Digitized by
Google
38
and remitting fever, as has been remarked by Professor
Rush. But this is among the most inconsiderable effects of
this cause. In the muscles and membranes of the extremi-
ties, it produces rheumatism ; in the face and throat, tooth-
ach, pain of the jaw and decay of the teeth, catarrah, tonsilitis,
&c. in the thorax, pneumonia, consumption, croup, &c. It
moreover frequently co-operates with marsh miasmata, and
produces a disease in which the phenomena, and the indica-
tions of cure, are considerably different from any disease
produced by those causes separately.
Whether the effects of this sudden alternation be always in
proportion to its degree is doubtful. I have observed a great
variation sometimes to occur without corresponding bad
consequences : other states of the atmosphere may possibly
modify its effects.
Changes from heat to cold, appear to be more prejudicial
than those of the opposite kind. One reason of which, pro-
bably, is, that the system relieves itself from the effects of a
sudden application of heat, by perspiration, but possesses no
such resource in the other case.
The natural tendency of this cause seems to be to produce
diseases that are purely inflammatory; but the winter of
1809-10 furnished opportunities of observing, what had
been remarked before by others, that there is in epidemic
constitutions, a kind of omnipotency, as it respects other causes
of disease. The pulmonary affections, of that sickly season
were few, and bore the lancet indifferently.
MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.
Fogs are by many considered an active cause of disease.
Dr. Jackson, in his Treatise on the Fevers of Jamaica, seems
to have put this opinion in its proper light. A fog may be
the vehicle of marsh miasmata, but is not of itself deleterious.
It is nothing but elevated water, and can produce no effects
beyond those of simple moisture. This a priori decision ac-
cords with fact, for in this town, those who are most exposed
to the fogs, certainly are not more sickly than others. Both
fog and dew, however, may be sometimes the exciting causes
of fever. By conducting off the heat, and lessening directly
the excitement of the system, they increase the excitability,
and thereby augment the efficiency of miasmata. The in-
ternal use of river water has by some people been deemed
Digitized by
Google
39
A-
unhealthy. Its degree of saline and aerial impregnation, is ^^ ^
certainly much less than that of well water, or even that of
spring water; but there does not appear to be any just
foundation for the opinion of its insalubrity. It produces,
so far as observation can determine, no disease, excepting diar-
rhoea in those unaccustomed to it, which is nothing more
than spring and well water produce on those who have been
habituated to the use of river water. The occurrence of
that disease, is no proof therefore, of the unhealthiness of
any water. In some diseases, however, although the river
water be not positively unhealthy, the greater benefit result-
ing from the use of well water, makes it seem so. These
are cases of dyspepsia. In this disease the carbonic acid, the
carbonates, and other salts of the well water produce very
salutary effects. A lady in this town has repeatedly had all
the symptoms of dyspepsia aggravated and palliated, by the
alternate use of river and well water.
Before concluding the consideration of the causes of dis-
ease, it may not be amiss to observe, that some progress
has been made, in the discovery of the cause of the endemic
disease, announced in the appendix, to the sections of these
Notices, which were printed last spring. The people who
live where it prevails, are of opinion, that the milk of the
cow is poisoned by some unknown deleterious plant on which
the animal feeds. It has not yet been discovered ; but the
experiments which have been made, and the facts which have
been collected, seem almost sufficient to command our full
assent.
MIASMATIC DISEASES.
In specifying the diseases of this place and its vicinity, it
will be proper to commence with those endemics which are ^
ostensibly excited by miasmata. They are the following: —
Ague and Fever, Periodical headach, Intermitting and Re-
mitting bilious fever, Typhus mitior and gravior, Cholera
morbus. Cholera infantum. Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Jaundice
and Opthalmia.
Ague and Fever. A tertian ague has been considered
the simplest form of fever ; and if unity of cause, greater re-
gularity in the trains of diseased action, and more uniformity
in the disorders consequent upon those trains, entitle any
febrile affection to a character of greater simplicity than the
rest, it certainly belongs to this disease. Its legitimate cause
Digitized by
Google
40
appears to be generated by the decomposition of vegetable '
matter alone; its empire in the system is more limited than
that of most fevers; and the same consequence, dropsical
effusion, more constantly results from it, when protracted,
than almost any consequence from any other disease. In a
series of notices, therefore, respecting our endemics, this
disease constitutes the most proper commencement.
In the adjoining state, Kentucky, the thirsty calcareous
ridges and dry narrow valleys are unfavorable to the pro-
duction of ague and fever, and it is but seldom felt, except in
the vicinity of some of the larger streams. But in this state,
especially in the central, northern and western parts, a leveler
surface, with a diminished quantity of calcareous and an in-
creased proportion of argillaceous matter, admits of a more
frequent production of this disease. Even here, however,
it is rarely fatal; and except in a few situations, its preva-
lence or malignity has never rendered it a serious evil, nor
retarded in any perceptible degree, the current of emi-
gration.
Concerning its symptoms, but little need be said. It
generally assumes the quotidian type; sometimes the tertian,
and more rarely the double tertian, or quartan. When left
to itself, it commonly produces hepatic affections of a mild
kind, with ascitic or anasarcous effusion ; but under the or-
dinary treatment, it seldom proves obstinate, except where
its remote cause continues to act. In such cases, when the
removal of the patient has not been attended to, it has some-
times resisted the combined action of the most powerful re-
medies, and proved fatal. Emetics, cathartics, and the bark,
with opiates and gentle diaphoretics, are generally found
sufficient. In a case of protracted quotidian, the cold fit of
which was so intense as to threaten life, my respectable friend
and preceptor. Dr. Goforth, administered 4 oz. of the bark
in substance, during a single apyrexia. The patient
recovered.
With arsenic, exhibited according to the formula of Pro-
fessor Barton, 1 have sometimes succeeded ; and during the
present autumn (1810) a gentle salivation, as suggested by
Professor Rush, effected a cure in two cases, which had
obstinately resisted many other remedies. The great ten-
dency in this disease to produce hepatic affections, would
seem to point out mercury as a principal medicine, in long
continued cases.
Digitized by
Google
41
Periodical HeAD-ACH. As it is deemed correct to
range with the ague almost any disease that has diurnal
paroxysms, the "sun-pain" or periodical head-ach may be
introduced here. In its most regular form, it consists of a
pain in the lower part of the os frontis on one side, near the
orbit of the eye, commencing early in the morning, and
continuing through a part or the whole of the day. But these
symptoms are not constant. There does not appear to be
any inflamation in the pained part, and the arterial action
is generally defective. The stomach and bowels are com-
monly overloaded with bilious matter. From observations
at this place, it prevails more in winter than summer. It
is generally sporadic; but in the winter of 1803-4 so
many were affected with it, as to entitle it to the appellation
of an epedemic. Antispasriiodics are absolutely inadequate
to the cure, as are also sinapisms and blisters. The latter,
however, are a good auxiliary. Evacuations from the sto-
mach and bowels with the subsequent use of the bark, as in
ague and fever, are the most certain, and generally the only
remedies necessary. I have never known it prove fatal. It
does not appear to effect those of any age, sex, or condition,
exclusively.
Intermitting and Remitting Fevers. To make
room for the anomalous affection of which we have just
spoken, the higher grades of bilious fever have been arbitra-
rily separated from the ague, of which they are merely
extended and more intense degrees — augmented effects of
the same cause. The assertion, which was first made by
that illustrious pathologist. Professor Rush, is amply sup-
ported by the phenomena which these diseases have exhi-
bited at this place. From the simplest 'shaking ague', with
a febrile paroxysm of two or three hours, to an intense
bilious fever with a remission scarcely perceptible, I have
observed symptoms of the same kind. In the ague the cold
fit is considerable; in what is popularly called the dumb
ague, and here denominated intermitting fever, the chilliness
is less regular and violent, and in the more ardent remittent,,
the cold stage is feeble or wholly absent. The danger there-
fore is generally in an inverse proportion to the intensity of
the cold stage. A diminution of both chill and fever is
favorable, of the chill alone, unfavorable.
As it is only designed in these Notices to announce some
of the principal phenomena of our diseases, a detailed account
Digitized by
Google
42
of the symptoms of these fevers will not be attempted, and
the following limited remarks may suffice.
They are invariably attended with an undue excretion of
bilious matter. In the present state of pathological science,
this excretion is not regarded as the cause of the disease, but
it certainly produces some of the secondary symptoms, and
aggravates the whole. It also tends to prevent the action of
sudorifics, sia agogues and tonics, and I am convinced from
experience, notwithstanding the plausible reasonings of that
eminent chemist. Professor Mitchell, that it ought to be
expelled from the system as early as possible. It has not
been proven that the vitiated secretion of the liver contains
soda ; and if it do, in these cases it will probably be better
to alkalize the alimentary canal by some more unexception-
able agent.
The state of the pulse in these affections at this place, has
not- appeared to vary very much. It is commonly full,
frequent and tense, but seldom hard or depressed. It has fre-
quently tempted to the use of the lancet, but not always with
the anticipated benefit. Indeed our bilious fevers in most
cases, although apparently of an inflammatory character, do
not admit of copious venesection. For some time past at
least, the tendency to typhus has been so great, that the lan-
cet has been almost wholly laid aside. Every autumn is not
however alike in this respect, and these diseases have occa-
sionally been presented in a form that unequivocally indica-
ted, and really required extensive bloodletting.
But venesection in these complaints is the only evacuant
that is not uniformly beneficial. Emetics and cathartics,
diaphoretics and sudorifics, diuretics and sialagogues are alt
of great consequence. The two first are indispensable.
Emetics however cannot be safely employed where the
•degree of inflammatory action is great; but it appears to
me that in the reformed practice of medicine in the United
States they are by many physicians, too much neglected.
I have repeatedly observed cathartics to fail evacuating the
stomach, and in bilious fevers of the milder kind, one or two
emetics would probably always be beneficial The employ-
ment of this medicine, however, will not remove the necessity
for cathartics; and in all cases they should be administered,
and generally repeated till the discharges exhibit a healthier
aspect. This is the method which has usually been pursued
here, and with satisfactory advantage. It has not, however,
Digitized by
Google
43
always been possible to procure good discharges, even where
medicines, to supercede morbid action, have been employed
at the same time. Such cases have usually proved fatal.
The choice of cathartics has not been deemed a matter of
great moment, provided calomel be not omitted. From the
disordered state of the biliary system in these diseases, that
medicine seems to be peculiarly required. It is also required
as a sialagogue; and when it can be made to produce a good
salivation at the same time that it evacuates the bowels, it
does all that can be expected from medicine — it invariably
cures the patient.
Sudorifics and diaphoretics have been employed in these
fevers, after due evacuation from the stomach and bowels,
and from the blood vessels in some cases, with manifest ad-
vantage. And diuretics have been frequently found service-
able. It appears to me that sal nitre, which in the quantity
of a scruple or half a drachm every hour, is no contemptible
remedy in the milder bilious fevers, produces its good effects
chiefly by operating as a diuretic. After sufficient evacua
tion and reduction of the tone of the system, the combination
of opium with this salt forms a valuable sudorific and anodyne.
Blisters have been employed in these affections with the
usual benefit.
Cases of bilious fever have occasionally presented them-
selves, in which the bark could not be taken even during
convalescence; but in most instances, after due evacuation,
that medicine has been found beneficial. In general, the
probability of its being servicable, is in proportion to the
violence of the cold stage. In some cases, where neither
the chill nor fever was considerable, I have seen cream of
tartar and the bark combined, given throughout the whole
twenty-four hours with evident advantage. But these cases
should be properly referred to the ague and fever.
Having found but little good effect from nitric acid in other
diseases, I have never tried it in bilious fever.
Typhus MiTIOR and GRAVIOR. These diseases seem
to bear the same relation to each other that is observable in
intermitting and remitting fever. They are also in this
country closely connected with those affections, and furnish
a good proof of the correctness of that pathological idea,
which questions the doctrine of diagnostics. The difference
between a case of inflammatory remittent, and one of typhus
gravior, is indeed very manifest, but these are to be regarded
Digitized by
Google
44
as the extremes: many of the milder cases are so com-
plicated, that the pathognomonic symptoms of neither disease
appear to predominate.
The more characterized cases of these typhus affections
frequently exhibit nearly the same derangement of the
biliary system with the fevers already noticed. But they are
attended with many phenomena not common in those simpler
affections, such as inactivity of the functions of the brain,
oppression of the thorax, and the exhaustion of the muscular
energy. They are also generally accompanied with diar-
rhoea, in which the discharges are constantly vitiated ; and
almost invariably with complete anorexia. In the more
violent cases the pulse is small, intermitting and frequent, and
the pains and anxiety of the thorax and abdomen are very
great. In milder cases the pulse is fuller, but always fre-
quent, and the restlessness gives way to profound stupor.
The tongue is generally dry, and sometimes covered with a
dark colored hard crust that appears cracked into fissures. In
two cases there occurred an eruption of pimples, which in a
few hours became filled with pus. They both proved fatal.
Concerning their other phenomena, the limits of this work
will not admit of any detail.
As these diseases consist in a more extended series of mor-
bid actions, than those we have before considered, they are
of much more difficult rrianagement, and have not unfre-
quently proven fatal at this place, during the last two years.
Before that time they occurred more seldom. Their cure
has been attempted nearly in the same way with that of the
bilious fever, except the early administration of tonics and
stimulants, and the total omission of venesection.
These medicines, with mercury and cold water, would
probably in most cases effect a cure, could they be retained
in the system; but the tendency to diarrhoea has generally
been so great as to preclude the copious exhibition of sudo-
rifics or of mercury, and require the constant use of astrin-
gents, demulcents, and alkalies. Of the former class of medi-
cines, saccharum saturni and geranium root {geranium ma-
culatum) have been employed with most advantage. Of the
latter, the alkaline earth, magnesia alba, has been commonly
preferred. When mercury has not been employed, these
complaints have generally had their full course, the typhus
gravior a shorter, the typhus mitior a longer one. The ordi-
nary remedies in many cases appear to have saved life, but not
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
45
cured the disease. Mercury, however, has done both. In
the few instances in which a genuine salivating effect has
resulted, the disease has yielded and the patient recovered,
some cases have occurred in which mercury ulcerated the
mouth without producing ptyalism, and then it did but little
service.
Blisters have been a constant remedy in these typhus af-
fections. Much advantage has frequently resulted from
them; but it has been considerably diminished, by the
strong tendency to gangrene which the blistered places, in a
great number of instances, have shown. Among the effects
of blistering in a case of typhus mitior, may be mentioned the
total suspension of a copious ptyalism attended with sore
mouth, for two days, and its return upon the cessation of in-
flammation in the blister.
A local application of cold water has been frequently made,
with obvious advantage. But a general affusion, as recom-
mended and practised by several ingenious physicians of the
present *day, has never been resorted to here. Many cases
of our mixed fevers, appear to be very analagous to those in
which Dr. Jackson found the cold affusion so beneficial;
but at this place medical intrepidity has heretofore yielded to
the invincible prejudices of the people. In May, 1810, I
had a case of typhus mitior, in which the patient was expo-
sed, covered with a single sheet, to a constant and copious
current of fresh air, except a few hours of the latter part of
the night: His recovery, which was unusually rapid, ap-
peared to depend much more on that than on the medicines
employed.
Cholera Morbus & Cholera Infantum. Theseaf-
fections having essential symptoms in common, and probably
depending on a similar mode of action of the same cause,
may be considered together. Their phenomena, however,
are not perfectly identical. The first is generally a disease
of adults. When it has appeared at this place, it was atten-
ded with inconsiderable fever, but with copious billious dis-
charges, and ultimately with spasms and cramps. It has
usually terminated in health in 24 or 48 hours. The chole-
ra infantum is commonly attended with fever, which is some-
times intense ; the discharges are not uniformly bilious ; stu-
por and insanity are apt to supervene; it sometimes termi-
' nates in health, or in death, in two or three days ; but gen-
erally has a protracted course, producing, with great debility,
G
Digitized by
Google
46
a peculiar, sunken and languid sute of the eyes. These
two varieties of cholers agree, however, in being apparently
excited by an irritating material, exerting a strong impres-
sion on the stomach and duodenum.
The former of these diseases is much rarer at this place
than the latter. It appears sporadically during the warm
part of the year, but has never yet been epidemic. Of
its treatment I have nothing to observe, except that in one
protracted case, in which the discharges were very bilious, a
salivation, induced, principally, by mercurial frictions, sud-
denly removed all the symptoms.
The Cholera Infantum prevails every summer, in this
town and its vicinity, and may be regarded as the principal
disease to which our children are liable. As in other parts
of the United States, it precedes the other summer and fall
endemics, generally beginning in June, and sometimes much
earlier. In this disease I have seen calomel in small doses,
with, or without opium, according to the state of the pulse,
as recommended by Dr. Miller, of more service than any
thing else. Cold applications to the abdomen, and head,
have also proved very advantageous. I have never tried
the cold immersion, as practiced by some physicians. At the
same time, that the refrigorating applications are made to
the head, sinapisms to the feet have been useful. When
the evacuations have been very copious, and the child's
strength is very much reduced, calomel and opium, with a
milk decoction of the geranium root are invaluable. This
complaint, however, has frequently resisted the powers of
these and other medicines, and either proved fatal in two or
three days; or assumed a protracted form, and yielded to
nothing but the frosts of the succeeding autumn.
^ Diarrhoea & Dysentery. An epidemic diarrhoea,
has never been known here. This disease, however, occa-
sionally presents itself throughout the whole summer; and
appears like the other endemial affections of the warm sea-
son, to depend on miasmata. Its cure has generally been
attempted with rhubarb, and other cathartics, followed by
alkalies, farinaceous preparations, geranium root, and other
astringents ; aided, in obstinate cases, by the cold bath,
' flannel next the skin, and exercise on horse-back.
^ The Dysentery is a more formidable disease. Every
summer and autumn furnish sporadic cases of it, and in 1808
it was epidemic. In the month of July, of that year, it was
Digitized by
Google
47
more prevalent, than any disease has ever been at this place,
except the influenza. Fevers, during its predominance,
were not observed to occur, and the simple diarrhoea and
cholera infantum, which appeared cotemporary with it, did
not long preserve their pathognomonic characters. Not-
withstanding this power of banishing, or assimilating to itself
other diseases, this epidemic was mild, and proved fatal in
but few instances. It was not often attended with fever,
and the appetite, generally, was unimpaired. The morbid
cause appeared to exert a very limited power on the system,
mucous and sanguinious discharges, with gripings, constitu-
ting the principal symptoms. Large portions of Ol. ricin.
alternated with opium, or opium and ipecac, were chiefly
relied upon; and when aided by amylaceous and glutinous
preparations, were generally sufficient. When astringents
were required, the geranium root was employed with suc-
cess. The carbonates of potash and magnesia were exhibited
in several cases, but not with very marked advantage. In
the dysenteries of some parts of this country, however,
they have been found more efficaceous. My friend.
Dr. Canby, has employed them along with the usual remedies,
with a success, as honorable to himself and his profession, as
to the respectable Professor, who first pointed out their mo-
dus operandi in this disease, and insisted on their exhibition.
The dysentery of 1808 was so mild, that calomel was
scarcely resorted to. It had been epidemic previous to that
year, but has not been since.
Jaundice. This is one of our endemics, but it is seldom
very prevalent. Throughout the whole of the year 1808,
cases of it presented themselves more frequently, than be-
fore, or since. It was generally attended with a dull pain
in the pit of the stomach. I heard of its proving fatal in one
case, in the vicinity of this town. In one instance it was
connected with a slight eruption, and violent itching in the
skin, attended with a synocha pulse, and required bloodlet-
ting. Generally the pulse was weak, and the whole system
appeared to partake of the inaction of the alimentary canal.
It affected adults more than children.
As a remedy for this disease, the puccoon root {sanguinaria
canadensis) has been recommended by Dr. Schoepf.* The
people in this part of the country employ a tincture of it.
''See Barton's Collections, part 1.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
48
for the same purpose, and from experience I can declare it
almost a specific. But I prefer giving; it in substance.
OPTHALMIA. On the arrangement of this affection
among the miasmatic diseases, it is by no means intended to
insist. The following are the reasons for which it was re-
ferred to that head, and physicians can estimate them, as they
deserve. 1, The opthalmia is an endemial disease of this
country, which like our other endemics, appears sporadical-
ly every summer, and occasionally becomes epidemic, affec-
ting great numbers, especially children. 2, It occurs as
much, if not more, along our water courses, and in the
depths of forests, as on open plains or uplands ; and there-
fore neither dust, not reflected light, has any agency in its
production. 3, When epidemic, it appears and declines
about the same time, with our other summer miasmatic
diseases. 4, It has been prevalent before the annual bur-
ning of the woods, which invariably takes place in some parts
of this country, and therefore is not occasioned by smoke.
5, In the summer of 1807, I was assured of two cases,
in which this disease alternated with cholera infantum;
the opthalmia prevailing at night and the cholera infantum
in the day. Similar cases have been mentioned to me by
Dr. J. Canby. 6, This disease has diurnal exascerbations.
It is generally worst at night, even where the eyes have not
been exposed to the light. In one case, the subject of which
(a man of veracity and observation) communicated the ac-
count to Dr. Este, of Hamilton, it assumed a tertain type.
During the paroxism, which had about the length of a
common fit of fever and ague, light and every exertion of
the eye were intolerable; but during the intermission, he
was entirely free from those morbid sensibilities. The same
physician has also lately met with a case in his practice at
that place, in which opthalmia had true tertain paroxisms.
7, Topical applications are seldom adequate to the cure, and
means calculated to operate on the general system, must be
resorted to, in all violent cases. 8, It is somewhat difHcult
to conceive, how, either directly, or through the medium of
the general system, the action of miasmata can be concentra-
ted in the eye ; but there does not appear to be in it, any
physical impossibility.
Of the local remedies in this disease, I have generally seen
the simulating, the most beneficial. Cold water seldom gives
permanent, and frequently not momentary relief. I had
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
49
kin it aside before reading the experiments of Dr. Wilson,
which prove inflammation to consist in defective, instead of
excessive action. Of the general remedies, blood-letting
and purging are frequently necessary. They reduce the
action of the system, at large, when necessary, and prepare
it for the exhibition of opium and sudorifics. The former
is necessary in all obstinate cases. I have seen from two to
six grains given during a single night, with obvious and per-
manent advantage. In protracted cases, a salivation would
probably be of great service. In a case of several months
standing, in which the eyes were covered with films, to such
a degree, as to produce total blindness in one, and very im-
paired vision in the other, after various collyria, blistering,
repeated cupping, sternutatories, cathartics, opium and tonics
(the pulse being weak) were employed for several weeks,
with inconsiderable advantage ; a salivation suddenly remo-
ved most of the inflammation, and promoted the absorption of
the films, so far as to restore one eye entirely, and render co-
lors perfectly distinguishable by the other.
DISEASES CONNECTED WITH VARIATIONS OF
ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE.
The diseases comprehended under this head, are not ex-
clusively produced by changes in the temperature of the at-
mosphere; but this cause so frequently excites them, that
they may with propriety be referred to it. The principal
ones which have been observed to occur here, are Catarrh,
Consumption, Pleurisy, Peripneumony, Rheumatism, and
Tooth-ach.
Catarrh. This is the most ordinary and simple effect
of the above cause. It does not appear to be more frequent
or obstinate here than in other parts of the United States.
The schneiderian membrane appears to be first affected
in most cases of this disease. From thence the morbid action
extends to the pharynx and larynx, and the pulmonary affec-
tion follows. In children, this disease is sometimes attended
with such symptoms, that it can scarcely be distinguished
from the genuine croup, except by the facility with which
it yields to medicine. The common catarrh, upon a refer-
ence to its cause, appears to be essentially different from the
influenza, and should probably be always regarded, in the
language of Dr. Sydenham, as an intercurrent disease ; yet
Digitized by
Google
50
it sometimes becomes almost as prevalent as the epidemic
just spoken of ; and there is some foundation for believing
that in the causes of the two diseases there is an intimate
connexion. But as one of them results even from a trifling
variation in the state of the circumambient caloric, and the
other traverses whole continents, uninfluenced by any chan-
ges of that kind, it is difficult to perceive in what the con-
nextion consists.
The catarrah is frequently a harrassing and protracted dis-
order, but is formidable, chiefly, as an exciting cause of con-
sumption, of which we will now proceed to speak.
Pulmonary Consumption. From Dr. Spalding's
bills of mortality, it appears that in Portsmouth, New Hamp-
shire, a fifth of the deaths are from this disease. In Phila-
delphia it carries oflF between a fifth and a sixth. In this
town, from several years observation, I am confident that a
tenth or twelfth of our deaths from consumption, is a liberal
estimation. So that if we make due allowance for the skii-
fuler treatment of this deplorable malady by our more en-
lightened fathers and brethren of the maritine cities, we
1/ may conclude that consumption occurs nearly three times as
often in those places as in this town. It has, however,
been a more frequent and fatal disease since the influenza of
1807, than before. Its subjects are generally women, be-
tween the ages of 15 and 30 years.
I have not had the satisfaction of seeing this disease cured
by a salivation. In several cases mercury, in conjunction
with the usual auxiliaries, has been exhibited to such an ex-
tent as to produce ptyalism for several weeks: It has appeared
to mitigate, but in no instance, whatever, to remove the
disease. From digitalis no greater benefit has been derived.
In cases of legitimate phthisis, its exhibition has been con-
tinued unceasingly for several months; and it has sometimes
moderated the pulse, but never superseded the cough or
hectic fever. In two instances the vegetable alkali was
given for many weeks in large quantities ; but no advantage
resulted. Of the efficacy of those nearly obsolete remedies,
carbonated hydrogen gas and azotic gas, mixed with atmos-
pheric air, I can say but little from experience. But in the
vicinity of this town, nearly a whole family has been swept
off by consumption, while living in a situation, the atmos-
phere of which, must have abounded, at least, with the for-
mer of these gases; and in 1808, a phthisical patient was put
Digitized by
Google
51
under my care from an ag:uish part of the country, whose
hectic fever was preceded, every other day, or every third
day, by a chill and shake, so violent, that her friends suppo-
sed her to have the ague. The two diseases, indeed, appear-
ed to be combined.
Pleurisy. This disease was more prevalent here pre-
vious to the visitation of the influenza, than since. It has
seldom presented itself in such a shape as prohibited the use
of the lancet. It is almost invariably attended with a pre-
ternatural excretion of bile, and not unfrequently with a very
obvious degree of hepatic affection. Bleeding, blistering,
and the common antiphlogistic regimen are inadequate to the
cure in such compound cases, and a liberal use of mercury
must be resorted to. It has been given so as to evacuate the
bowels freely, and also to excite a ptyalism as early as possible.
Upon the accession of that effect, the symptoms have almost
invariably yielded. Mercury, indeed, is wholly indispensa-
ble in these bilious pleurisies, and when combined with the
ordinary antiphlogistic treatment, is seldom unsuccessful.
PeRIPNEUMONY. That singular epidemic the influenza,
whilst it diminished, at this place, as has just been stated, the
number of cases of pneumonia pleuritis, seems to have invi-
ted a more frequent occurrence of the pneumonia peripneu-
monia ; for since the autumn of 1807, the latter disease has
been much more common, than previous to that period. Its
most conspicuous phenomena are, a frequent elastic pulse,
cough, obtuse pain in some part of the thorax, or the total
absence of all pain in that region ; frequent and diflicult, but
not painful respiration, and inability to lie with the head and
shoulders level with the body. In one case which terminated
in vomica, not the slightest pain was at any time felt above
the diaphragm ; but there was a constant pain in the lower
part of the left hvpochondrium, attended with vitiated al-
vine discharges. In this complaint, there is not, as in the
pleurisy, any crisis on the 5th, 7th, or 9th day, but it con-
tinues until, probably from congestion or disorganization* of
the lungs, it terminates in death, at no specific period ; in
vomica ; or in health, from the successful exhibition of medi-
cine. It is, like the pleurisy, occasionally attended with de-
rangement of the biliary system.
In the treatment of this complaint, blood-letting and the
ordinary antiphlogistics, are indispensable; but it is seldom
possible to reduce the morbid force and frequency of the
Digitized by
Google
52
pulse by them alone. From the progress and termination of
several cases, it is rendered probable, that mercury and digi-
talis are the most efficient medicines that can be superadded
to the common debilitating means. The first of those ac-
tive substances should be given so as to produce a ptyalism,
which in part effects the reduction of the pulse, and appears
to prepare the system for the reception of the second. In
the administration of the digitalis, a constant regard should
be had to its effect on the pulse. If it do not produce a
slow, pausing pulse, it is of but little advantage. During
the convalescence from this disease, I have felt the pulse of a
young adult, at 52 and 54 or 56 strokes in a minute, with
very remarkable intermissions : when it was in that state she
felt active and comfortable; when a relaxation in the exhibi-
tion of the medicine permitted the pulse to rise to 70 or 80,
dyspnoea, & oppression at the breast rendered it difficult for her
to lie down, or to make any considerable exertion. A sali-
vation preceeded its use in this instance, and indeed in almost
every case of peripneumony, in which it has appeared to be
serviceable. The following case will in part confirm this,
and may be somewhat interesting in other respects.
W. W. aged 26 years, with a flat chest, and distant shoul-
ders, was seized in July with a severe cough, and inability
to lie with his head and shoulders low. After trying the use
of some popular remedies for several days, with no good
effect, he applied to me. Finding his skin cool, his pulse
slow and weak, his thorax entirely free from pain and stric-
ture, and that he had no thirst, and could walk about, I did
not at first suspect the existence of inflammation. An emetic
and cathartic, with the subsequent use of anodynes, and a
plaster of Burgimdy pitch, were employed without any ad-
vantage whatever. In three or four days he was unable
to lie down at all. His exemption from pain, and weak
pulse continued; but it was determined to bleed him. —
About eight ounces were taken, which exhibited some
slight traces of buff. A blister was then applied to his side.
His pulse did not rise, from bleeding, but as he felt rather
better, the next day, it was repeated to the quantity of twelve
ounces. The blood drawn this day was more sizy; and
after the operation, his pulse rose a little. On the succeed-
ing day he was bled again. The blood exhibited much in-
flammatory crust, and after the operation his pulse became
full, tense and frequent. His cough continuing, the admin-
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
53
istration of calomel, with squills and nitre, was now com-
menced. Venesection, to the quantity of fourteen or sixteen
ounces, was continued every day, or every other day, from
this time for a week, the pulse beating 120 strokes in a min-
ute, with a great degree of energy. The blood was re-
markably cupped and sizy. By the expiration of that time,
a salivation came on. No considerable reduction of the
pulse followed, but he was able to lie with his head and
shoulders lower. The use of digitalis was then begim. It
was given in substance. In three or four days the expected
intermissions in the pulse occurred, and it was soon at 60 and
54 in a minute, having sustained an equal reduction in its
force and fullness. The cough soon became more mode-
rate, expectoration increased, and his amendment was une-
quivocal. The digitalis has been continued ever since (a
period of six months) in such quantities as generally to keep
his pulse in a state of defective action ; he has taken exercise
on horse-back, and at this time has as good a prospect of
complete restoration, as is consistent with a malformed
thorax.
Was the pulse depressed in this case? Is it not more
probable that the disease was at first local, and that the arte-
rial system did not sympathize for some time. In the fanci-
ful manner of Dr. Darwin, it might be said, that depletion
increased the sensorial power of association, and brought the
general system into excessive action, much sooner than it
otherwise would have come.
Judging, which, however, is improper, from the event of
a few cases, I am not disposed to ascribe much efficacy, in
this disease, to the carbonic acid and carbonated hydrogen
gases, as recommended by Dr. Withering and Dr. Beddoes.
Croup. The cynanche trachealis, or hives, is here, as
well as in the middle and northern maritime states, one of
the principal diseases of children. It prevails more in au-
tumn, winter, and spring, than in summer, and more in some
years than others ; but it has never assumed that malignant
and epidemic character which, according to Dr. Dick, it ex-
hibited at Alexandria in 1799. It is almost invariably atten-
ded with fever, and as constantly with a disordered state of
the bowels, the alvine excretions being green or blackish.
In one case, only, have I employed blood-letting to any
considerable extent. The infant had labored under the dis-
ease 16 or 18 hours, but still had a vigorous pulse. The
H
Digitized by
Google
54
quantity taken was so considerable, as to produce partial de-
liquim. Many other of the usual remedies were employed,
but the patient died. I have seen the violent operation of
strong emetics at the commencement of the disease, as re-
commended by Dr. Rush and others, of great service. In
one case that was fully formed, more than a dozen motions
were procured by an emetic, in less than an hour ; and the
little patient began to recover immediately. After the ope-
ration of a strong emetic and cathartic, I have found the ex-
hibition of a decoction of Seneca root, as recommended by
Dr. Archer, of more benefit than anything else. Unusual
quantities of emetic medicines are necessary to produce vom-
iting in these diseases; and the same observation may be
made respecting the Seneca decoction. It should be very
strong, and in most cases given in larger quantities than are
recommended by Dr. Archer. In one case that was about
to terminate fatally, such a free exhibition of this decoction
was made, as to dislodge from the glottis great quantities of
thick phlegm, tinged with blood. The irritation through-
out the whole system was so great, for a few minutes, as al-
most to produce convulsions, but the urgent croup symptoms
were mitigated, the threatened dissolution averted, and the
child recovered. Would not the roots of the Sanguinaria
Canadensis (which indeed have been employed) the Lobe-
lia siphilitica, and the Jeffersonia binata, produce the same
effect? The warm bath and blistering are excellent auxil-
iaries in this disease ; but the first should never be employed
until the intensity of the fever is abated by evacuants.
Rheumatism. This disease frequently presents itself
in this country, but not often in a formidable shape. It
appears to result from exposure to vicissitudes of the weather.
Now and then it assumes the form of lumbago. In one
instance it terminated in white swellings of various parts of
the body. Among many other remedies, a protracted sali-
vation, with a subsequent course of the volatile tincture of
gum guiac, was employed in this case without any good effect.
In the treatment of the milder cases of rheumatism, the
people use the Seneca oil, a bituminous substance brought
down the Allegheny river. Concerning the remarkable
efficacy of this liquid, in removing the numerous cases of
rheumatism and stiffness in joints, in a detachment of troops,
here is a note by B. Lincoln, Esq. in the first volume of the
American Museum.
Digitized by
Google
55
The poke (Phytolacca decandrci) and the prickly ash (z^/i-
thoxUum fraxinifolium) are popular remedies of considerable
estimation; but the actea raamosa^ or squaw root, will pro-
bably supersede them. This powerful medicine has received
too little attention from physicians. In two instances in this
town, in which it was taken to excess, it produced the most
violent and alarming effects. One of them I had an oppor-
tunity of witnessing. In about an hour after the tincture
was taken, by a person able to go about, and of an inflamma-
tory diathesis, violent pain in the epigastric region came on,
with vomiting, intense head-ach and delirium. The face
was flushed, and the pulse full, frequent and tense. The
loss of fourteen or sixteen ounces of blood, followed by a
portion of paregoric, and the subsequent use of a cathartic,
carried off these disagreeable symptoms. The people no
doubt frequently err, by using this medicine when too much
inflammation exists.
TOOTH-ACH. Pain of the jaw, decay of the teeth, and
tooth-ach, are common here, but by no means so frequent
as in some of the states. According to Dr. Hazletine, these
diseases constitute an eighth of the morbid affections incident
to the inhabitants of the province of Maine.
Dr. Foot, in an ingenious paper, inserted in the Medical
Repository, has rendered it highly probable that the undue
prevalence of these maladies in the United States, is refer- \/
rible to the sudden vicissitudes in our climate. The action
of septic acid, generated in the mouth, may account for the
destruction of the teeth in some particular instances; but it
is difficult to believe that the teeth of the inhabitants of a
whole country can suffer from that cause. I have seen a
fine set of teeth apparently decomposed and very much in-
jured in the course of a year, during which time the person
labored under a high degree of dyspepsia, and frequently
ejected a very sour liquid. If it be possible for oxalic acid
to be generated in a human stomach, it probably was in this
case, and in its passage through the mouth effected the de-
composition of the teeth.
It frequently happens, that those who have decayed teeth,
are seized with pains in the jaws, or some other parts of the
face. These pains are often extremely severe. They are
not fixed, but attack almost every part of the jaw and some-
times all the teeth in succession; but the most remarkable
circumstance is, that the decayed teeth are quite as much and
Digitized by
Google
56
in some cases more exempt from pain than the rest. The
immediate exciting cause of this kind of pain, is exposure to
cold ; but the agency of the decayed teeth appears manifest,
from the impossibility, in many cases, of removing the pain
without extracting them. In one instance, the pain,
after attacking most parts of the face, at length affected the
whole anterior part of the head. The use of snuflF, howev-
er, soon transferred it to the face again, where it obstinately
resisted the application of galvanism and many other stimuli:
upon extracting two decayed teeth, in which scarcely the
slightest pain had been ever felt, the whole disease instan-
taneously vanished. In another case, the pain of the face
was attended with many of the phenomena of hysteria ; and
likewise appeared to have a periodical type, recurring many
times, in the forenoon. The pulse was weak during the
paroxism. The bark and volatiles afforded considerable re-
lief. A blister was drawn, on the neck : it moderated the
pain of the face, but became affected itself with a most insup-
portable sensation, which was likened to the action of needles
or of animalculae in the flesh, and at the same time it became
very much inflamed.
There can be no doubt but that, as Dr. Darwin has asser-
ted, this pain of the membranes which invest the jaws and
alveoli, contributes to the destruction of the sound teeth; and
therefore those teeth which are already decayed should be
extracted as soon as any pain in the face is felt.
EPIDEMIC DISEASES.
Concerning these diseases but little will be said. They
are. Measles, Mumps, Hooping-Cough, Angina maligna,
Scarlatina anginosa, and Influenza.
It is not pretended that these affections can, properly, be
grouped together; and by most physicians, the following
superficial reasons for this arrangement will be deemed
wholly insuflicient: — ^They are seldom or never sporadic,
but when they occur, it is almost invariably in an epidemic
form ; and as they do not appear to have the same origin
with our miasmatic endemics, which are either local or
general, according to the extent of their causes, they cannot
be ranked with that tribe. Thus they have some agreement
in cause. In their symptoms, although it have not been
generally remarked, there is also some loose analogy. They
all affect the throat and lungs chiefly. But in the type of
the fever, which accompanies them, the similitude fails, for
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
57
some are generally attended with synocha, and others as
continually with typhus. How they are arranged, however,
in this series of memoranda, is a matter of little moment.
Measles. This disease has occasionally prevailed here,
but not having seen many cases of it, I am unable to say
whether its symptoms have exhibited any peculiarities. It
does not appear to have proven fatal in any instance at this
place.
Mumps has also prevailed in Cincinnati and the adjoining
country several times. In the year 1807, it was more
general than at any other period. A few cases of its retro-
cession then occurred. In one instance of that kind, blood-
letting, cathartics, and saturnine applications to the sympa-
thetic tumour, which was large, were of very essential
service.
Hooping Cough has affected the children of this part
of the country more than either of the preceding diseases.
For several years, indeed, it appears never to have been
extinct in every section of this part of the state. In its
symptoms nothing very peculiar has been observed, except
that during the state of atmosphere which produces croup,
the hooping-cough has sometimes assumed or counterfeited
the phenomena of that disease. When medical aid has been
applied for, emetics and cathartics, with the subsequent use
of expectorants, tonics, and the cold bath, have generally
been found sufficient. In one case, blood-letting appeared
of decided advantage. A sweetened decoction of colts-foot
or wild ginger (tussillago) is a popular remedy here, as in
other parts of the United Statef. The precise value of this
medicine appears to remain yet to be ascertained.
Angina Maligna & Scarlatina Anginosa. The
former of these diseases had an extensive and fatal prevalence
in this country 18 or 20 years ago. It does not appear
to have been epidemic since. The latter probably never has
prevailed generally here. Within two years, however,
there has been at this place a tendency to both these diseases.
Within that period, a few bad cases, and a considerable num-
ber of very mild ones, more especially of the former disease,
have occurred. It would seem as though their cause or
causes were or had been among us, but in a state too diluted
or unformed, to excite an extensive or fatal epidemic.
In the course of this constitution, cases of sore mouth have
been common. Small blisters, ulcers and redness of the
tongue, gums and inside of the lips and cheeks, with a bur-
Digitized by
Google
58
ning sensation in those parts, were the usual symptoms.
They were probably produced by such a gentle action of the
cause of scarlatina, as was conjectured to produce the sub-
maxillary abscesses mentioned by Dr. Rush.
In the treatment of these affections. Dr. Allison, Dr.
Sellman and myself pursued nearly the same course. Emet-
ics, calomel, and the bark, with blisters, mercurial frictions,
and emollients externally to the throat; and astringent,
alkaline, saline and pungent gargarisms, were the remedies
generally employed. They were attended with considera-
ble, but not invariable success — a few cases of the angina
maligna proving fatal. In the smarting and blistered mouth.
Dr. Sellman found magnesia alba a serviceable remedy. He
conceived that the contents of the stomach were in a state of
morbid acidity, and that the affection of the mouth was there-
by aggravated. In a few cases, the stimulating gargle re-
commended by Dr. Farquhar, was employed, but not with
the advantage experienced by him in the West Indies.
For six months past, few or no cases of these diseases
have presented themselves.
Influenza. The few remarks which follow, relate en-
tirely to this disease, as it appeared in 1807. Cases of it oc-
curred in town the two or three last days of September;
but it was not general before the 5th or 6th of October. On
the 29th and 30th of September, a great proportion of a re-
giment of militia, which was encamped in- the open air, about
seven miles from town, became affected. The dust and
smoke and night air to which they were exposed, probably
acted as exciting causes. This disease affected adults chiefly,
but not exclusively. In a great number of its subjects, it
was so mild as not to require any medicine. Intermittents
which were prevalent at the time of its appearance, imme-
diately declined, and it was soon left almost the only disease.
During its reign, a sudden diminution of atmospheric tem-
perature effected the supervention of pnemonic inflamma-
tion in several persons. These cases as well as many others,
were attended with a very redundant secretion and excre-
tion of bilious matter. The pulse was synocha, and they
required copious blood-letting, with all the remedies gene-
rally employed in bilious pleurisies. In one of these cases,
an ague which had left the patient just before the attack of
influenza, returned for three successive days: but unequi-
vocal signs of pulmonary inflammation existing, copious
blood-letting, blistering and the antiphlogistic regimen were
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
59
employed. To this treatment the combination yielded,
and abortion was prevented, though the period of gestation
had more than half elapsed. But these compound cases
were not the only ones in which bloodletting was advanta-
geously employed. Whenever the pulse was excessive, the
loss of blood was found to afford great relief. Emetics, ca-
thartics, and febrifuges were likewise employed with consi-
derable advantage. After the excess of morbid action had
subsided, and in those who experienced no excess, gentle
anodynes and stimulants were found of great service. In
some persons a troublesome cough continued for many
weeks after the other symptoms of the disease had subsided,
and did not appear to be much affected by any of the com-
mon remedies for that complaint. It proved fatal to few or
none. About the first of November, the disease began to oc-
cur more seldom, and was entirely gone by the middle of that
month. After its disappearance, the town was very healthy.
The influence of this epidemic on the pulmonary diseases
which have preceded it, has been already mentioned.
The equinoctial storms of the ensuing spring were unusu-
ally violent, and the temperature was low. Immediately
after the equinox, a catarrhal affection, but little inferior to
the influenza, in its violence and the numbers that were
affected with it, appeared in this town and the adjoining
country. ^,^__^^
MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS.
The Itch (Psora) or cutaneous affections nearly resem-
bling it, are remarkably common in many parts of this coun-
try. They are ascribed by some to the water, but the cause
of their general prevalence does not yet appear to be ascer-
tained. They are treated by the people, with the different
mercurial preparations, and in most cases with success ; but
sometimes they prove very obstinate. Occasionally these affec-
tions are in all probability attended with a scorbutic diathesis.
The Lepra Grecorum, now and then presents itself, gene-
rating, in its usual manner, immense quantities of large
branny scales. I have observed it not to affect, at least in
any considerable degree, those parts of the body that are
uncovered. Venesection, cathartics, and low diet, with the
subsequent and long continued use of mercury or arsenic,
will generally effect a cure.
An affection, called by the people, catarrh, or guittar,
now and then presents itself. It is a deep seated farunculus
Digitized by
Google
6o
of the joint that connects some one of the fingers with its
metacarpel bone. It appears oftenest to attack the ring finger.
Stimulating poultices and a free vent for the pus, produce a
cure very readily.
A few cases of mortified gums, in children, have been
observed. The first that presented itself was attended with
a depraved state of the primae viae, and a moderate fever,
inclining to the typhoid character. A great variety of astrin-
gents and stimulants was applied to the sphacelated parts,
without arresting the progress of the disease. At length I
discovered that the silver spoon, with which the mouth was
examined, was tarnished by the action of an acid, which must
necessarily have been the septic. I directed a solution of
carbonate of potash, which in a short time produced a cure.
The same application has been since made, in similar cases,
with corresponding success. Since the occurrence of that
case, I have read Dr. Harrison's paper on the diseases of
Chillicothe, and find that cases of the same disease have oc-
curred at that place, and were treated by him in the same
way, with the best effect.
The Goitre is an endemic of some of the N. E. portions
of this state, but it is not known here. The Scrophula,
Rickets, and Scurvy, are very rare diseases. Canine madness
has not been epidemic for many years, and Hydrophobia has
not been observed to occur as a symptom of any of our other
diseases. Insanity seldom presents itself; but the protean
disease. Hysteria, is frequently met with. Hydrocephalus
intemus but seldom occurs. Tetanus is rarer still. But one
case has occurred here for many years. It was produced by
a wound in the hand. It proved fatal in less than three days
after the spasms came on ; probably from their extending to
the muscles of the glottis. Cancers occasionally occur with
their usual fatality. Calculus, Arthritis and Apoplexy, are
rare diseases. Dropsies are more common, but generally
appear only as one of the consequences of intermitting fever.
No bill of mortality has yet been kept in this place.
ERRATUM.— W^A/r/ " opthalmia ** occun, read ophthalmia.
Digitized by
Google
APPENDIX.
I. ''Columbo Rooty
In different parts of the western country, a bitter root, said
to be the officinal columba, has excited considerable attention.
In 1805, upon presenting that great botanist, professor
Barton, with a specimen of it, he informed me that it was
the root of the Frassera Carolinensis of Walter ; the Fras-
sera Walteri of Michaux. I have not been so fortunate as
to obtain the works of those botanists, but the authority of
the professor is unquestionable. The plant therefore is not a
nondescript, as has been said. It however does not appear
to be recognized in Turton's edition of the Systema Naturae.
It is sometimes found pentandrous, at other times tetran-
drous, always monogynous. The stamina are erect, the
antherae are deeply cut longitudinally, on both sides, and
fixed obliquely. The style is simple, erect, and longer than
the corolla, the stigma is somewhat bilobed. The calyx
consists, when the plant is tetrandrous of four, when it is
pentandrous of five, ovato-lanceolate, permanent leaves.
The corolla has 4 or 5 lanceolate petals ; with a nectarife-
rous? radiated spot of bristles in the centre of the superior
surface of each.* The stem (caulis) is from 2 to 7 feet
high, smooth and straight. The cauline leaves are vertici-
late, glabrous, lanceolate, and from 4 to 8 in number. The
radical ones of the same form. The branches are axillary,
as numerous as the leaves of the whorl from whence they
rise: they incline upwards, and send out opposite, axillary,
one-flowered peduncles. The root of the young plant is
fusiform and branching, of the old, tuberous and irregular.
It is said to be triennial: it certainly is not annual. It is
chiefly found in thin soils, among oak timber, or in prairies
surrounded by that timber. I have never seen it in fertile
woodlands. It flowers from the 25th of May to the 20th of
June.
Every part of the plant is bitter, but the root is generally
chosen for medicinal purposes. Dr. J. Canby, and others,
inform me, that they have found it, more especially in its
recent state, to possess considerable laxative power.
It gives out its bitterness both to aqueous and alcoholic
menstrua, but more fully to the latter ; the reverse of which
* Whether this be a specific or generic character, I do not know.
Digitized by
Google
II
is the case with the coiomba. Its spiritous tincture also suf-
fers decomposition, upon the addition of water, indicating
that it contains resin, which the coiomba does not. And
the addition of decoction, or alcohol of galls, to its watery
and spiritous infusion, caused no precipitate of cinchonin, the
principal constituent of coiomba.
Hence it appears to be essentially distinct from the sub-
stance to whose name it probably owes a portion of its repu-
tation. It is, however, a medicine unquestionably entitled
to attention,* and will no doubt be found equal, and possibly
superior to most of our other indigenous bitters.
11. New Disease.
In the spring of 1809, Dr. Barbee, of Virginia, on re-
turning from a visit to the Madriver country, in this state,
gave me some information concerning a new and formidable
disease which had appeared among the settlers of that tract.
Since that time, I have been able to collect several additional
facts respecting it, from different persons, more especially
Mr. William Snodgrass, and Mr. John M'Kag, two intelli-
gent and respectable inhabitants of that country, who have
several times, experienced the disease in their persons and
families. A summary of the whole, is here given, that phy-
sicians may determine how far it deserves the appellation of
a new disease.
It almost invariably commences with general weak-
ness and lassitude, which increase in the most gradual
manner. About the same time, or soon after, a dull pain,
or rather soreness, begins to affect the calves of the legs,
occasionally extending up to the thighs. The appetite be-
comes rather impaired, and in some cases nearly suspended ;
sensations of a disagreeable kind affecting the stomach : upon
taking a little food, however, a greater disposition for it is
generated, and more agreeable feelings are introduced
throughout the whole system. Intestinal constipation in this,
as in all the subsequent periods of the disease, exists in a very
high degree. A strong propensity to sleep occurs, and ac-
cording to Dr. Barbee, the pulse is "full, frequent, round,
and somewhat tense, but regular." During this stage, ex-
ercise of any kind is highly detrimental, and if persisted in,
* See Barton's Collections and Journal.
Digitized by
Google
Ill
soon induces loathing and nausea at the stomach. If the
patient repose, upon first experiencing these symptoms, they
generally cease, and he is allowed a longer exemption from
the vomiting that awaits him. Sooner or later, however,
that symptom almost invariably succeeds the predisposition we
have described, and either proves fatal in I, 2, 3 or more
days, or leaves the patient in a most exhausted state, from
which he recovers only to sustain, at no distant period, a
repetition of the same attack.
The matter ejected is sometimes bilioQs, but much oftener
sour, and so acrid, that its action on the throat, in one case,
(which proved fatal) was likened to that of boiling water.
Towards the close of mortal cases, it is occasionally very dark
colored so that it has been compared to that very convenient
and fashionable object of similitude — coffee-grounds. At
this time the intestinal constipation is very great: Mr. Snod-
grass knew one patient in whom it continued for 9 days,
throughout which he took no food whatever, and vomited
during six of them. After such an attack, the propensity for
sleep is destroyed, and an uncommon degree of watchfulness
is produced. The patient remains languid, and his face
and person generally become rather tumid. His skin is
cool, palish, and frequently affected with clamminess. He
has a disagreeable burning sensation in his stomach, and hot
eructations are very troublesome. The thirst is considerable.
The breath is peculiarly disgusting, even loathsome. The
appetite is generally poor ; and the inclination to costiveness
remains. These symptoms often continue for several months,
during which the patient experiences frequent returns of
the vomiting. But at length, more especially upon the ap-
proach of winter, they gradually wear away, leaving the
patient considerably worse than they found him, and liable
to a fresh attack the ensuing summer.
Nothing like regular periodical exascerbations is observa-
ble in this disease; no chilliness occurs; the color of the skin
and eyes does not deviate widely from that of health, and
gives no striking indication of bile ; there is no pain in the
region of the liver, nor in the shoulder ; it does not termi-
nate in dropsy ; nor are there any symptoms which bespeak
it a disguised or anomalous intermittent. It however pre-
vails (though not exclusively) in aguish situations, and inter-
mitting diseases are thought to have declined since its
appearance.
It affects all ages, conditions, and both sexes, indiscrimi-
nately; except probably very young children. They how-
Digitized by
Google
IV
ever are not wholly exempt from it. Emigrants are not
peculiarly liable to it. It was first observed in the summer
of 1806, and is thought annually to extend its geographical
range, and to become more intense. It sometimes commen-
ces in July or before, but oftener in August, and continues
till the approach of winter, when it generally, but not always
subsides.
The cure of this disease seems hitherto to have been left
chiefly to the people, who have not yet discovered any certain
method. Purging was a remedy that naturally suggested
itself; and by some it has been thought very serviceable,
more especially when effected by aloes ; but others as-
sert that they have frequently known a cathartic to increase
the vomiting, and therefore rely more on enemata. All agree
however, that the intestinal obstructions are to be overcome ;
and that the less the means made use of, affect the stomach,
the better. Vomits evidently do harm. Blisters to the
gastric region are considered the most efficient remedy.
Tonics have been used, but no great benefit appeared to
arise from them. Wine and salted meats, however, have
appeared to do good, and are relished beyond any thing else.
Indeed, eating a little frequently, whether an inclination
exist or not, has been found a good palliative : It relieves
the stomach from the knawing which so perpetually exists.
Alkaline lye has been used in one case: it gave some tempo-
rary relief, but not more than almost any other substance
which might be received into the stomach. Bleeding has
occasionally been resorted to, but with doubtful advantage.
Ardent spirit appears to render the disease worse : It is not
however, much sought after, all inclination for it, generally
being destroyed. Tea and coffee, also, with several other
articles of diet, which were agreeable before the disease, are
in many cases disliked for a long time after.
This disease is unequivocally observed to affect four domes-
tic animals : the horse, the cow, the sheep, and the dog.
It is often fatal to the two former ; but not so fatal to the
latter. It as frequently attacks horses in the winter as sum-
mer, and sometimes kills them in 24 hours.
It prevails chiefly in the neighborhood of Staunton on the
Great Miami, and in the country south of Madriver, between
Dayton and Springfield. In those tracts, ponds and marshes
occasionally occur, more especially in the former. The
soil and water are calcareous. The timber generally oak.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
t^
] t
The Quarterly Publication of
the Historical and Philosoph-
ical Society of Ohio
CINCINNATI OHIO
Vol. III. 1908. No. 3
JULY-SEPTEMBER
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Burnet ff^oods, - Cincinnati^ Ohio
OFFICERS
JOSEPH WILBY,
FRANK J. JONES,
HOWARD C. HOLLISTER,
CHARLES T. GREVE, - - - -
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW,
ALBERT H. CHATFIELD, -
MISS L. BELLE HAMLIN,
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS, -
DAVIS L. JAMES,
MERRICK WHITCOMB,
CHARLES J. LIVINGOOD, -
ELLIOTT H. PENDLETON,
President.
Vice-President.
Vice-President.
Corresponding Secretary
Recording Secretary.
Treasurer.
Librarian.
• Curators.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Quarterly Publication of the His-
torical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Vol. Ill, 1908, No. 3
JULY-SEPTEMBER
Selections from the Torrence Papers, IV
Arranged and Edited by
ISAAC JOSLIN COX,
Assistant Professor of History, University of Cincinnati
PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM
CINCINNATI. OHIO
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Entered as second-class matter June 12, 1906, at the post-office at Cincinnati,
Ohio, under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
Committee in Charge of Publication
CHARLES T. GREVE.
MERRICK WHITCOMB.
Digitized by
Google
Selections from the Torrence Papers, IV
The Political and Personal Career of William Henry
Harrison from 1830 to 1841, as Illustrated
by the findlay letters.
FOREWORD.
The present number of this Quarterly continues the letters pub-
lished in Volume //, No. j. Although the main subject mentioned
in these letters is the varying political fortune of General Harrison,
yet many of the earlier letters touch upon intimate personal and family
matters, while the later ones are chiefly concerned with the hopes of
would-be office-holders or their friends and relatives — hopes which,
imfortunately for them, his early death rendered void. The chief
purpose in publishing many of these letters is to show that distressing
financial and family complications did not destroy General Harrison's
"availability" as a presidential candidate; nor did this same quality
protect him and the inmates of his household from the importunities
of those who felt the force or were influenced by the example of the
spoils system established under his immediate predecessors.
The career of few individuals in American politics exhibits a
greater contrast than does that of General Harrison, as shown by the
first ten of the following letters and by the next seven. And this
contrast is all the more marked when one peruses those that close the
list. From the depths of misfortune, for which he personally is not
responsible, to the highest office within the gift of the American
people, constitutes a step that far more talented men were unable to
take. Although he evinced no great genius to match his remark-
able success, his career exhibits a series of important duties, well done
if not brilliantly executed, while his sterling integrity and homely
sense of honor deepen the popular impression of regret caused by his
unexpected demise.
In the preparation of this material I have profited from the assist-
ance of Miss L. Belle Hamlin and Mr. Earl F. Colbum, to whom I
gladly make this acknowledgment.
I. J. c.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
CONTENTS.
I. Feb. 24, 1830, E. HuLSB to Jambs Findlay.
II. Apr. 25, 1830, Lewis Whiteman to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
III. May 16, 1830, William Henry Harrison to James Findlay.
IV. Dec. 7, 1830, William Henry Harrison to James Findlay.
V. Mar. 21, 1832, W. H. Harrison, Jr., to James Findlay.
VI. May 22, 1832, W. H. Harrison, Jr., to James Findlay.
VII. July 4, 1832, W. H. Harrison, Jr., to Jambs Findlay.
VIII. Dec. 2, 1832, William Henry Harrison to Jambs Findlay.
IX. Jnne 18, 1833, W. H. Harrison, Jr., to James Findlay.
X. June 13, 1834, W. H. Harrison, Jr., to George P. Torrence.
XI. Sept. 3, 1835, Samuel B. Findlay to George P. Torrence.
XII. Sept. 12, 1835, G. B. Trevor to George P. Torrence.
XIII. Nov. 3, 1836, William L. Miller to [James K. Findlay?].
XIV. June 4, 1838, Samuel Evans to George P. Torrence.
XV. Feb. 24, 1840, G. W. Jones to George P. Torrence.
XVI. Aug. 4, 1840, D. Torrence to George P. Torrence.
XVII. Oct. 17, 1840, Samuel Evans to George P. Torrence.
XVIII. Mar. 15, 1841, Mrs. Jane Cath. Wever to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
XIX. Mar. 25, 1841, J. K. Findlay to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
XX. April 3, 1841, Eliza M. Lewis to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
XXI. April 4, 1841, Thomas B. Van Horne to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
XXII. April 7, 1 84 1, James R. Butler to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
XXIII. April 8, 1841, William Findlay to Mrs. Jane Findlay.
XXIV. Oct. 22, 1841, James Findlay Harrison to Mrs. James Findlay.
XXV. July 8, 1841, The Funeral Obsequies of President Harrison.
67
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Digitized by
Google
E. HULSE TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box II, No. 6i.]
CiNaNNATi, Feby. 24, 1830.
Gen[era]l Findlay,
Sir, — I wish to apprise you of the movements in this section of
our country in regard to politics.
At this time much is said about the recent trial in Congress to en-
quire into the expediency of altering the Tariff * and all parties appear
to be well pleased with the course pursued by our Delegation on that
subject. But Sir much is said concerning our next Congressman.
Who he shall be? R. T. Lytle, J. S. Benham,and N. G. Pendleton"
are all talked of, but We find opinions are various as faces on that
subject and believing you to be the person Who Will unite the great-
est number of Electors We have Dared to state that if Gen [era] 1
Findlay Was elected he Would again serve.* Now We wish you to
answer this Communication Immediately, and if it meets with your
approbation We shall be pleased and as far as We can at this time
Discover Shall meet with success.
You may think perhaps we are premature, but all parties appear
to be on the alert, and procrastination is always Dangerous. There-
fore have adopted this policy. We believing it best.
General Harrison is spoken of as our next Governor* and Will
probably, if he should think proper to run, be elected as certainly he
iCf. McMaster, History of the People of the United States, VI, 37-40.
< For Lytle and Benham Cf. Quarterly II, 10, 28-29. N. G. PeDdleton had
previously served as aid-de-camp to Governor Jeremiah Morrow, had been a candidate
for the State Legislature, and was later a member of Congress. Cf. <* The Old North-
wests Genealogical Quarterly,'' IX, 131 ; X, 318, 332.
'James Rndlay was re-elected this year, but by a narrow plurality over Benham,
receiving fewer votes in the city than his opponent. Cf. Nile^ Register, XXXIX, 138.
^ In December of this same year Morgan Neville writes ( Quarterly II, 261 )
that « Harrison is coming out for the Senate heavy. If both parties are in doubt
as to their superiorty, he may succeed. I have just written a sketch of his life, but I
doubt the propriety of his publishing it." In Nile^ Register PCXXIX, 187), he is
reported as one of the four persons who are candidates for the Senate from Ohio.
Financial difficulties, coupled with distressing family complications, effectually
stemmed any political ambition for the next few years.
69
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
will obtain the votes in this part of the State. I have no News. We
enjoy good health (here) and (in) the country in our vicinity; please
answer this as soon as convenient, and believe me yours, with the
greatest Esteem
II.
LEWIS WHITEMAN TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 27, No. 16.]
CiNaNNATi, April 25, 1830.
General Harrison and herself [Jane Findlay Harrison] came up on
a steamboat, on Tuesday last and remained with us imtil Thursday.
William arrived the same day on horseback
The object of the General's visit was to make arrangements with
his creditors, and as far as possible to relieve himself from embarass-
ment, and also to satisfy William's creditors. The latter object seems
to interest him much more than the former. I do hope he will have
it in his power to do both, and the General himself is highly flattered
with his prospect of accomplishing both objects, without great diffi-
culty. He is however of a sanguine temperament, and what would,
to most men, seem insurmountable difficulties, that they would yield
[to] and sink under, would to the General, be disposed of very easily.
It may be considered a happy circumstance that he is possessed
of this disposition. Were it the reverse, he could not be otherwise than
miserably unhappy.* The general came up yesterday, on business,
and has just left for home. I presume he will return in a few days,
as his friends are about getting up a Public Dinner' for him. I mean
his personal not political friends, for I understand there are as many
Jacksonian contributors, as of any other faith.
* Mrs. ScoU Harrison had died a few months before (Box 27, No. 13) : and his
son William was just recovering from a serious illness brought on by his unfortunate
personal habits (Box 27, No. 2). Moreover this son was planning against his father's
wishes to abandon the legal profession.
^ On the same day L. Whitemanhadalready written (Box 27, No. 13) that <<a pub-
lic dinner to General Harrison is in agitation and I hope it wiU be given. To him it
wotdd ai any tinu be gratifying — at this time peculiarly so." Later Mr. Whiteman
writes on May 10 that ** The citizens of this place [Cincinnati] gave General Harrison
a dinner last week — all went off well .... The General had good reason to be
pleased." Harrison had already published a pamphlet, summarized in NiU^ Register
XXXVIII, 121, defending his course in Columbia ; and in August, at a dinner given
in his honor, at Madison, Indiana, repeated portions of this defense and touched
upon the political issues of the day. The society has a copy of this pamphlet.
70
Digitized by VjOOQIC
III.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box lo, No. 57.]
North Bend, i6th May, 1830.
Dear Gen\erd\l,
I am iezxivX that y[ou]r House will find so much to occupy it of
a more important character that my little bill ^ will be passed over — a
circumstance productive of much inconvenience to me. I have writ-
ten to Messrs McDuffie and Archer' desiring them to get my claim
tacked on to another bill so that it may be passed. I wish you to
attend to it. Speak to Colo[nel] Johnson [?] and Mr. Carson of North
Carolina. They will give their aid most willingly. If it gets through
the House put my friends in the Senate upon the alert also. The
family is in tolerable health. William is quite well. My respects to
Mrs. Findlay.
IV.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box 10, No. 59.]
NORTHBEND, 7TH DeCR., 183O.
Dear General
The morning that I left you I barely got down [in] time enough to
see my beloved son • expire. It almost broke my heart. And never
did a house exhibit a scene of greater distress. Never was a man
taken away whose life was more necessary to his family. Mother and
Daughter both in bad health and of the six orphan children, four ill.
They are now all very much better but with that exception, their cir-
cumstances present a worse appearance than they did at the time of
7 Possibly this "little bill/' was his account of return expenses from Colombia.
He had expected to return in the public vessel that conveyed his Jacksonian successor,
Moore, to the field of his mission, but through some misunderstanding, he had
to return at his own expense.
B George McDuffie, member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina ;
William Archer was from Virginia.
•His oldest son John Cleves Symmes Harrison, bom in 1798. Cf. Quarterly
II, 108. At the time of his death he was evidently living with his mother-in-law,
Blrs. Z. M. Pike, in Boone County, Kentucky. Cf. also Box 10, No. 10.
71
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Symmes* death. The suit for the whole property (Mrs. Pike's") was
not determined in consequence of the resignation of the Judge but as
he had the case under advisement and had sufficient time to make up
his opinion I fear his not doing it proceeded from an imwillingness
to decide against Mrs. Pike. If the decision should be adverse to
her, as they have, you know, not another friend in the world to afford
them existence, their future support must be derived from me. It is
however not the trouble or the expense which I fear but the appre-
hension that my utmost exertions to provide for the great number
which are dependent upon me will be ineffectual. I was ruminating
on this subject the day before yesterday when I was served with a
summons to answer at Columbus within the present month to a claim
of the U[nited] S[tates] against me as seciuity of my second son of ji 2,-
803^^. I suppose an other is gone to Vincennes or to the Marshal of
Kentucky to be served upon his representatives. The above sum is the
supposed amount of his defalcation. I saw a statement of the
am[oun]t last Spring taken from the books of the Treasury; it was
then about jioooo and a credit was added of about J2000 for a sub-
sequent deposit. So that it appears that they have not only refused
to allow the items claimed by Symmes — one of which Mr. Graham"
told me was established to his satisfaction, but they must have dis-
allowed some that had been passed. After reflecting upon the sub-
ject I have determined that it will be proper for the widow to petition
Congress to be allowed those rejected items and for relief generally.
Surely the Representatives of this just and generous Nation will listen
with favor to the petition of the only child" of their favorite hero
who after a life devoted to their service shed his last drop of blood in
the defence of their rights, but who left to his orphan no inheritance
but his claim upon his country's gratitude. I recollect that after the
defeat of my bill for extending the pensions in the year 1818 " several
10 Widow of General Zebulon Montgomery Pike, and daughter of Senator John
Brown of Kentucky. Concerning her Mrs. Jane Findlay Harrison, wife of W. H.
Harrison, Jr., writes (Box 10, No. 10): "Poor Mrs. Pike, how I do pity her.
She has aU the care of the family and having no one to attend to her negroes they
give her a good deal of trouble.''
u George Graham, of Virginia, then Commissioner of the General Land Office.
^This was General Pike's daughter, Qarissa, who had married J. C. S. Harri-
son. Of her Mrs. Jane Findlay Harrison writes : " Clarissa appears better since his
death. I am in hopes it will arouse her to attend to her house and family."
^For House debate with Harrison's speech on this occasion Cf. Annals ijth
Cong.y 2nd Sess.^ Vol. I, pp. 376-387, 393-397. The bill passed the House, but
72
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
members who opposed the bill wished me to bring in one for the re-
lief of Mrs. Pike alone, but I would not. And last spring one of the
Georgia members told me that his State would sanction almost any-
thing for the benefit of Pike's representatives. I will forward the pe-
tition on Friday to Colonel [Richard M.J Johnson because I know
he will undertake it willingly and because Symmes was one of his
constituents when he died. There is considerable difficulty in draw-
ing the petition because I do not know the items which Symmes
claimed and which were rejected. We shall therefore have to refer
to a copy of his account to be procured from the Commissioner's
office. I have written to Mr. Hendricks" and requested him to go
with you to procure it and have it ready against the arrival of the
petition which will not be longer than two days behind this letter.
Unless the petition is presented soon the bill will not have time to
get through before next session and ruin will come upon the whole
family, for at a forced sale it will take all that we are worth to pay
the am[oun]t. now claimed. Perhaps a suggestion from you and
Colo[nel] Johnson might induce Mr. Ingham" to stop the suit until
it was ascertained whether Congress would do an)rthing or not. I
could not ask such a favour after the harshness of his late proceedings
against me. Inconvenient as it is for me to leave home I am deter-
mined to go on to Washington in two or three weeks." We are all as
well as usual .... Clarissa and myself (with Jane)" went to Boone
Court yesterday and administered upon Symmes estate.
failed in the Senate. Under the date of December i6, 1818, Harrison himself wrote
concerning it (Box 10, No. 55), "The bill for continuing for five years longer the
pensions granted to the widows and orphans of the officers of the regular army and
the officers and soldiers of the militia, who died or were killed in the late war, passed
this House yesterday by a majority of three. We had a long and pretty warm debate
on the subject'*
^* William Hendricks, Senator from Indiana.
'^ Samuel D. Ingham, of Pennsylvania, then Secretary of the Treasury.
^" Under date of January i, 1831, Lewis Whiteman writes to James Findlay
(Box 27, No. 18), << General Harrison is in town and I understand is to leave to-day
for Washington per steamboat. Business of his deceased son Symmes, I understand,
takes him to Washington."
17 Mrs. Jane Findlay Harrison, wife of his second son, William Henry Harrison,
Jr. She was the niece of Mrs. James Findlay, and afterwards acted as mistress of
the White House during her father-in-law's brief residence there.
73
Digitized by VjOOQIC
W. H. HARRISON, JUNIOR, TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box lo, No. 25.]
North Bend, March 2ist, 1832.
My d[ea]r General^
You know us all too well not to know how sincerely we sympa-
thized with you in your late affliction, and how fervently we prayed
for your recovery. It was indeed to some of us a mournful period ;
you we well knew were lying dangerously ill, and my father has been
for a long time also dangerously ill.^ He has thank God so far recov-
ered to be able to ride out and is rapidly recovering his strength and
spirits. The illness of the two best friends of my family and myself
was calculated to make us all feel as unhappy as we well could be.
You have seen some accounts of the disasters and misfortunes
brought upon us by the late floods. All the fences and a great many
of the houses on the lower bottoms of the Ohio and Miami Rivers
were swept away. It was about four feet higher than the flood of
181 5, and Judge Watson says, three feet higher than the flood
of 1793.^' All of us who own lands on the margin of the Ohio
are busily engaged in rebuilding our fences. I have mine nearly
completed. My father will have his done in ten days or two weeks.
Mr. Short swears he will move to the top of the Andes or take
refuge in Noah's Ark or the summit of Mount Arrarat Jesting
aside the River really looked like a Mediteranean sea. None of us,
thank God, were drowned, but the loss of property, the injury to
dwellings, the necessity of thousands of people being compelled to
fly to their higher neighbors, produced a scene of misery and devasta-
tion, the like of which I never wish to see again. Scott*® has not yet
returned from New Orleans. He started when the flood was at its
height. Mrs. Sloo and Nancy Torrence" will we think return with
him.
^ The letters of Lewis Whiteman (Box 27, Nos. 25 and 26) also mention the
illness of General Harrison.
^ For an account of these floods, Cf. Greve ; Centennial History of Cincinnati,
I, 343, 586.
^ His younger brother John Scott Harrison.
*i Wife of Thomas Sloo, Jr., of Shawneetown, 111.; Nancy Torrence was the
daughter of George P. Torrence and was returning from a visit to New Orleans.
Mrs. Rebecca Findlay Sloo was the daughter of John Findlay of Chambersburg,
Pennsylvania, and sister of Mrs. George P. Torrence.
74
Digitized by
Google
VI.
W. H. HARRISON, JUNIOR, TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box lo. No. 26.]
Cincinnati, May 22ND, 1832.
My dear General^
I found the enclosed letter in the post-office on my arrival in
town. You will please give it to my father, or in case he has left the
city forward where you think he will receive it. I suppose he re-
quested Scott to send it to him, and that he had left here before its
arrival. It is a letter from Gov[enor] Cass notifying him of his ap-
pointment" etc. Please inform my father that in obedience to his
request I am very busily engaged in the memorial he wishes to pre-
sent to the Bank Directors at Phila [delphia] . " My family are all
wel]. The boys as well as their Papa and Mama, look anxiously for
the return of their d [ea] r Uncle and Aunt. We have no news — ^the
weather is cold, the crops of com remarkably backward. Many
fields have been replanted, and if we have not more favourable
weather shortly, the second planting will rot. Old Mrs. Bailey, the
mother of Andrew, died a few days ago. Give my love to Mrs.
Findlay and receive for yourself the assurances of my filial attach-
ment.
W. H. Harrison, Jr.
Genl Findlay.
P. S. The reign of terror^ seems really to have commenced at
Washington. Shall I forward on to you your sabre and pistols. If
necessary I will use them for you ! W. H. H. jr.
^ Cass as Secretary of War had appointed Harrison on the annual board of visi-
tors to West Point.
» This was in reference to the matter mentioned on page 78. Aboat a month
later he writes Mrs. Findlay (Box 10, No. 27) stating that they had received no
word about General Harrison's health and expressing solicitude about his health
which was precarious when he left Cincinnati.
^Possibly a reference to the tariff discussion and the ensuing nullification
movement. Cf. Niles XLII, passim,
75
Digitized by
Google
VII.
W. H. HARRISON, JUNIOR, TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box lo. No. 28.]
North Bend, July 4TH, 1832.
My d\ecL\r General^
I received by the last mail your favour of the 24th ult[i]mo. I
need not assure you how sincerely glad we all were to hear of the im-
provement oiytour health, and that our d[ea]r Aunt had kept up both
health and spirits, during your long indisposition. God knows, that
with the exception of my father, mother and wife, there are no two
elderly persons to whom I am so sincerely and affectionately at-
tached. ************** My mother and the rest who
are on the sick list, are off the doctor's roll. Will not the dread of
cholera induce Congress to adjourn, even if the Tariff and the Bank
Questions are not disposed of ? Apropos of cholera — I have just had
an elegant bath-house erected in the small building that you know
stood near our dwelling house. Will not this be as beneficial for you
as the mountains of Pennsylvania or Virginia? Since I wrote to Mrs.
Findlay we have had no rain, the prospect is really gloomy. With
one exception I have not seen a single field of com higher than a
man's knee. You know at this time it is generally as high as a man's
head. We have a parched earth and a brazen sky. What is to be-
come of us, God only knows. The Farmers are in despair ; our only
resource for stock will be in the hay, which is generally light, and for
man's food, we must look to our wheat, which is generally good." I
am afraid our Jackson friends (the hogs) will share badly this sea-
son. Our friend Co [lone] 1 W [illia] m Clark *• of White Water Town-
ship, died the day before yesterday. He was truly an honest and
worthy man. His friend and neighbour old Isaac Swearengen died a
few weeks before him.
Is there any probability of an amicable adjustment of the Tariff?
I am really apprehensive of the issue — not on my own account but on
that of my children. Bom and raised a freeman, and my ancestors
having contributed freely, and risked much to gain, maintain, and
support our happy government, I feel an indignation I cannot express
>» Mrs. Jane Findlay Harrison wrote a few days afterwards, ** We will expect
Pa (General Harrison) the last of this week — his presence is very much needed.
^ Not the companion of Meriwether Lewis in the famous trip across the conti-
nent. Cf. Coues ; History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, I, LXXXIX.
76
Digitized by
Google
against those who are for raising the standard of Nullification^ which
I consider a decent term for rebellion and treason. Should the
South really rebel — I will thank you to recommend me to the President
as a fit and proper person to command a Regiment of volunteers from
this part of the country. I will guarantee that in one month from the
time we march, I will ride through the streets of Charleston.*'
I have spent this 4th of July like a gentlemen, making hay.
Please remember me in the warmest terms to my friend Corwin.*
Give my love to Mrs. Findlay and believe me
D[ea]r Gen [era] 1 y[cm]rs affectionately,
W. H. Harrison, Jr.
P. S. — ^Would it not be a good provision in the Bank Charter,
that they should not withdraw any Branch without a year's notice?
You know how you and other friends were treated by the old Branch
in Cincinnati." W. H. H. Jr.
5th July — My mother rec[eive]d today a letter from my father
of the 24th of last month from Phila[delphia]. I suppose he is about
this time with you.
VIII.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box 10, No. 62.]
North Bend 2nd Decr, 1832.
Dear General^
My Nephew, Benjamin Harrison, came to visit me some time ago
and left a gold sleeve button which is herewith enclosed. Will you
have the goodness to reinclose it directed to B. H. of Berkeley to the
office at Charles City Court house, V[irgini]a.
I am sorry to tell you that there is no hope of William's •" refor-
mation if he remains here, and I know of no place where he could be
^ This is certainly bombastic in tone, when one considers the writer, and that
his grandfather, Benjamin Harrison had opposed the adoption of the constitution ;
but it is doubtless t3rpical of western sentiment at that time. Cf. Tyler, Patrick
Henry, 319, 320, 323.
^ Thomas Corwin, of Lebanon, then serving in the lower house of Congress from
Ohio.
» For conditions in Ohio during the panic of 1819, Cf. McMaster IV, 487, 488.
» The General's second son, William Henry Harrison Jr., (1802- 1838). The
latters wife writes [Box 10, No. 13] that financial troubles partially account for his
lack of self-control. Her brother I. R. Irwin, some three years before had written
77
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
out of the reach of the temptation but in one of our remote posts on
the frontiers. I think I could prevail on him to go to one of them
and remain ten or twelve months. I would sell anything I have to
raise the money for his journey. Will you procure and send me a
list of the officers who command the posts on the waters of the upper
Mississippi so that I may select one to whom I am either known or
can procure an introduction to and I would accompany him to
St. Louis.
To the distress produced by the distruction of my hopes in rela-
tion to two of my sons, is added that of encreasingly embarrassed
circumstances. Scotts*^ exertions and my own were barely sufficient
to maintain the great number who are dependent upon us. We
have done a good deal this year with the farm considering the injury
we sustained from the high water of the Spring but still we fall be-
hindhand. Scott went up to pay our taxes for the present year last
friday but the money he took with him for the purpose was not suf-
ficient and we are at our wits end to find the means of raising it with-
out going into the hands of the usurer and I believe it cannot be got
of them at less than the rate of 50 percentum per annum. I borrowed
j22o of one of them when I went on to Westpoint in May" and
altho I pay the interest regularly (3 per cent a month) he is clamor-
to James Findlay, who had married his aunt, " I had heard throng]^ Uncle James
Ramsey the cheering hopes of William's recovery, not only in health, but from a
habit more loathsome than infectious disease, and my heart beat with a joy it has not
known before since I heard of his aberration. It seemed to me so hard that my
darling sister on her first starting through life should have her prospects so sadly
marred by one so closely bound to her ; and by an indulgence in habits that are as
disgusting to me as infamy. I hope it may all be well.'' Young Harrison was
a graduate of Transylvania University, and really seems to have been a talented man
with excellent prospects of success as a lawyer and public speaker. In 1830 he
was anxious to become prosecuting attorney for the County, [Cf. Box 10, No. 10]
but his weakness forced him to abandon the profession and take up farming, but
without avaij. Five years later a visitor reports no improvement in his condition
[Box 27, No. 40] and in 1838 the inevitable end came. His widow was the
mistress of the White House during General Harrison's brief term, and later mar-
ried Lewis Whiteman.
8* John Scott Harrison, his third son, afterwards a member of the House of Rep-
resentatives and father of President Benjamin Harrison.
"General Harrison was appointed by the Secretary of War, General Lewis
Cass, one of the board of visitors to West Point. Despite the uncertain state of his
health he accepted the honor because it gave him the opportunity to present to the
Bank directors in Philadelphia his side of the claim mentioned below, Cf. Box 10,
Nos. 27 and 60.
78
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ous for the principal. I never felt so much dispondency in all my
life as I have for the last three months.
When I made the sale of the bottom at the mouth of the Miami
to the Hayes" I thought it would be sufficient to clear me* out of the
bank at least but I was obliged to pay so much of the proceeds for
William's debts and some others of my own and the debt which I have
to pay for ... . was so much larger than I had expected that it was
exhausted, there remains a balance of debt of {6,000 which
I am to provide for and God knows how. I have sold all my land in
sections 2 and 3 to pay the Gilmores and there is a balance still due
them.
That Scoundrel will not advance a dollar to pay his
own debt and laughs at the suit I have commenced against him — be-
ing prepared to swear that he is not worth a cent when it is well
known that he is doing a most profitable business. I am engaged
day and night in forming schemes to extend our business so as to
equal our wants but it cannot be done without capital — and that we
cannot get. I know of nothing that would be more likely to succeed
than the manufacture of Kiln dried Indian Meal. We commenced
the drying apparatus last Spring. But water is so scant in Indian
creek (more so I believe than formerly) that I concluded not to go
to the expense of repairing the old Water Mill. My intention is to
convert the Stone distillery into a steam mill as soon as I can get the
means of purchasing a small engine sufficient for one pair of stones
and having ever3rthing but the engine when I can get that we can
soon get to work. The crops of com are very light throughout this
whole region. At least one foiulh of all that is gathered is too soft
to keep.
But this is a partial evil compared to the prospects which our
political situation presents. In this your last session you will have
perhaps to decide upon questions of a character more momentous than
any that have been presented to the body of which you area member.
•• On December 28, 1830, Mrs. Jane Flndlay Harrison had written [Box 10,
No. 10] «Papa has determined to sell the point — at least the part which lies in
Indiana. He is to receive |2 1, 000 for it — this will relieve him entirely and enable
him to relieve William also.*' In this hope he seems to have been disappointed, for
on December first, 1832 she writes concerning her husband : "His fieither, it seems,
can do nothing for him and wishes him to sell his farm. Money is so scarce he
probably cannot get a good price, but I am so anxious to see him free that I can agree
to part with anything we have to accomplish it"
79
Digitized by VjOOQIC
I am a 'Mooker on" but ''a looker on" bitten with intense interest
produced by no desire to promote the success of any party line, from
the desire to preserve unimpaired the institutions under which we
have so long flourished.**
When you meet with our friend. Gen [era] 1 Cass tell him that I
congratulate him upon the termination of his Indian War.** It was
accomplished with means much less powerful than I should have
deemed sufficient for the purpose.
IX.
W. H. HARRISON, JUNIOR, TO JAMES FINDLAY.
[Box lo. No. 30.]
North Bend, Jxjne 18, 1833.
My d\ed\r General^
I send up a letter from John from my father to Mr. Webster. •• I
was to have taken it but I have given up going. I
will thank you to give it to Mr. Webster and inform my father by Mr.
F&yne, who drives up the carriage, what day he can come down.
My father wishes you, Judge Burnet, Mr. Este, and Mr. Leroy to
accompany him. He wishes you to come on Wednesday next, but
would prefer Thursday, if it will suit you and the gentlemen.
Yours sincerely,
W. H. Harrison, Jr.
P. S. You will of course be expected to dinner the day they
come.
•* The reference probably is to the Nullification moyement in South Carolina.
On Feb. 16, 1833, his son William writes [Box 10, No, 29] : «*I hope the General
[Findlay] will be able to keep his temper and health, during these times of NuiUJi'
cation and bombarding from valourous sons of South Carolina. I hope, if his divi-
sion is called out, he will kindly remember a disbanded veteran who is residing upon
his estates about 15 miles below Cincinnati and whose name will be found at the foot
of this Epistle.**
M The Black Hawk War.
^ Webster was then engaged in a tour of the western states, as his biographer
Lodge states, "with the terrible prize of the presidency .... again before his
eyes.'* Cf. Niies Register, XLIV, passim. For Este and Burnet Cf. Quarterly II,
10, loi, 105, 117.
80
Digitized by
Google
X.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON JR. TO GEORGE P.
TORRENCE.
[Box lo, No. 31.]
North Bend, June 13TH, 1834.
Dear Judge ^
I believe I write to you for the first time in my life ; we have fre-
quently quarreled viva voce^ shall we have a quarrel on paper about
politicks? for politicks are "the subject of my story, *^ My father
having been requested to be a candidate for congress is unable to give
a decided answer until in some way or other the sense of the oppo-
nents of the administration can be ascertained in a way most likely to
enable them to come to a just conclusion as to which of the gentle-
men named by the opponents of the adm [inistratiojn stands the best
chance of success. Neither my father [n]or his friends wish to fore-
stall public opinion by sending as Brother .... has couriers through
the country to trump up small meetings and then a la mode Jackson-
ians say ''at large and respectable meetings" etc., .... was nomi-
nated. After Coombs with two aid-de-camps has been through this
part of the county to fix upon their fugle-men, their success has not
been very flattering so far. The opponents of the adm[inistratio] n,
the lukewarm Jacksonians — all indeed who are in opposition to
Jackson or Lucas ^ wish a fair expression of the sentiments of the
party for the purpose of beating the Jackson candidate for Congress,
and Lucas for Gov[emor].
The two questions are inseparably connected. The person who
votes for Lucas will vote for the Jackson candidate for congress and
vice versa. Mr movements can only tend to distract the
party. Judge Watson told me a few minutes since that we stood a
good chance of succeeding if we brought but one candidate in the
field — if more we must be beat. The sudden revulsion in public
feeling against the acts of the executive has doubtless been the reason
why is a candidate. Why was he not a candidate when a
majority of the county was against us? He an untried colt on the
political turf could have been beaten without any regret or mortifica-
tion. To gratify the wishes of the party my father consented to run
and was left out.*^ Mr was requested to be a candidate
^ General Robert Lucas was then serving as governor of the state and was re-
elected over James Findlay in the ensuing election.
^ This was in 1822 when he was beaten by James W. Gazley.
81
Digitized by VjOOQIC
but — the ''signs of the times*' did not suit And those
who had character and age and reputation had to stand the brunt of a
violent political contest to enable the party to whom they belonged
to make show of fight ^ whilst those who stood in the background at
that time wish now to attain political preferment by movements
characterized by as much cunning as Atlanta in dropping her golden
balls. I wish you would write me fully and freely oa the subject.*
XI.
SAMUEL B. FINDLAY TO GEORGE P. TORRENCE.
[Box 7, No. 3.]
Philadelphia, Sep. 3, [1835].
Geo. p. Torrence Esqr.
Dear Sir: .... Now for politics. I find there is a very strong
interest for the old Gen [era] 1 in this state *^ and Maryland. If things
^ Evidently the prospects did not appeal to General Harrison and his supporters,
for Bellamy Storer became the candidate of the anti- Jackson forces and was elected.
About this time the General became Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas
of Hamilton County — an office he retained until his election to the presidency,
although the details of the office work were performed by his son-in-law W. H. H.
Taylor, who was likewise a cousin of his wife. This appointment evidently eased the
financial burdens under which General Harrison had been sinking. (Cf. Manuscript
Journal of General James Taylor, a copy of which is in possession of Colonel
Reuben T. Durrett of Louisville, Ky. ) A letter from Bellamy Storer to George P.
Torrence, (Box 22, No. 29) written shortly before the election of 1840, shows that
Harrison was not wholly relieved from minor financial annoyances. That his im-
proved circumstances did, however, react upon his health, even if domestic affiurs did
not brighten, is shown by a letter from Lewis Whiteman, dated August 7, 1837
(Box 27, No. 40) : **The General was in fine spirits and very soon walked me over
the most abrupt hills on his farm.''
^ Early in 1835 Niles Register reports that General Harrison **is much spoken
of in some parts of Pennsylvania as a proper person as candidate for President of the
United States." A renewal of attacks upon his military reputation had preceded this
(Cf. Box 10, No. 73 , and attempts were made by the Democratic press to bring
forward Colonel Richard M. Johnson as an opposition hero. Despite these efforts
Harrison was nominated for President by a public meeting of the citizens of Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania, but the former friendship between himself and Colonel John-
son seems to have been broken. (Niles Register XLVII, 379). In Maryland his name
was joined with that of Tyler. At a New York meeting Mr. Madison's opinion on the im-
portance of the battle of Tippecanoe was used to extol the **01d Hero," who now begins
to exhibit some traces of General Jackson's former prestige. An attempt to get Harrison
to run as vice-president on the ticket with Webster failed. Brief journeys of Harri-
82
Digitized by
Google
are managed properly I have no doubt he will be the candidate of the
opposition in this State and Uncle Tho[mas] thinks he is the most pop-
ular in M[arylan]d and after the Gen[era]l elections they will begin to
move. You have no doubt seen that they are beginning to make a
stir in N[ew] York** and that they are to celebrate the anniversary of
the battle of the Thames and invite the Gen [era] 1 to be present; it is
the opinion of some of his friends that he ought not to attend that it
would probably have an unfavorable impression.
The politics of this state in relation to Gov[emor] is all out of
joint. It is probable Ritner** will be elected. Some of the whigs
who will vote for Wolf ** say if Ritner should be elected, it will tend
to unite Utit Jackson or Democratic party upon Van Buren; and the
Whigs say there are some who will vote for Muhlie;** say if he be
son along the Ohio River aroused an enthusiasm comparable to that which greeted
LaFayette. Indeed, in his speeches the General distinctly assumes the reminiscent
vein, with an evident desire to affect the LaFayette pose as well as to avoid danger-
ous political issues. His course was sufficiently successful to call from the "Globe'*
the stinging characterization of "General Harrison, the recruiting sergeant for the
coalition in Ohio." The Antimason convention of Pennsylvania, in December 1835,
despite the opposition of the radicals formally nominated him with Granger of New
York as his running mate. Cf. Report of Am. Hist. Ass*n, 1902. Vol. I, 480.
^ In September Harrison was nominated at Albany, N. Y., by a mass meeting
of more than a thousand persons {Niles XLIX, 36). The dinner in question,
without the General, was held at Niblo's Garden, in N. Y. City, on October 5th {Ibid,
1 33 ) , but the Democrats, not to be outdone, celebrated the occasion by a dinner to Rich-
ard M. Johnson, the prospective administration candidate for vice-president, who indi-
rectly attacked his opponent for refusing to declare himself on public questions. The
controversey over thereal credit for the battle raged so bitterly that Harrison was induced
to publish a letter in his own defense. Whereupon the Richmond Enquirer quotes
(Niles XLIX, 141 ) : "He does justice to everyone except Harrison, and the world must
therefore do justice to the man who is too modest to be just to himself," and adds,
"General Harrison's character has never been paid a finer compliment" On Feb-
ruary 22, 1836, he was nominated for President by an Ohio Convention.
^ Joseph Ritner was nominated by the Antimasons, with whom the Whigs were
in alliance. Ritner was elected by an overwhelming majority.
^ George Wolf, a Jackson Democrat, was then Governor of the State and a can-
didate for re-election, but had alienated many of his supporters by favoring an exten-
sive canal policy, a public school system, and by opposing the second United States
Bank. Moreover, his friends were supposed to be opposed to Van Buren.
^ So strong were the opposing factions that when, at the State Convention held
in March, 1835, Wolf was renominated, they withdrew and nominated Henry A.
Muhlenberg, a former minister, and one of the greatest preachers of Pennsylvania.
Jackson endeavored to have Muhlenberg withdraw, but in vain. This faction at-
tempted to win over the German Antimasonic vote but failed, although aided by
Richard Rush.
83
Digitized by
Google
elected the Wolf men would desert Van Buren. And Ritner men say,
elect him and the state is safe for the opposition and that Genl Har-
rison is the man to beat Van in this state
XII.
G. B. TREVOR TO GEORGE P. TORRENCE.
[Box 26, No. 54.]
Philadelphia Sep. 12, 1^35*
Dear Ssr,
The manner in which Gen [era]l Harrison appears to be making
headway in thro the Keystone State is very similar to that in which
Gen[era]l Jackson's popularity commenced. Neither the political
leaders nor the newspapers appear to be as yet much in his favor
but to any person who watches the current of public opinion, it must
be very evident that a strong tide is setting in his favor among the
great body of the people. I consider him at present, to use a famil-
iar phrase, decidedly the ''most available" candidate to defeat Mr.
Van Buren and as I am opposed Mo coelo to the men and measures of
the present administration, and to the designated successor, I shall
espouse the cause of that man who in my view is likely to defeat the
heir apparent. For my own part to be candid about the matter I
should prefer Henry Clay to any man in the nation, but as he seems
at present to be out of the question, I go distinctly for Gen[era]l
Harrison. In the next contest for Governor in this State the Whigs
will be victorious. They will elect Ritner by a large majority, ** and
after that is accomplished, we shall hold meeting here and in the
large towns in Penn[sylvani]a to take up Harrison for the Presidency.
That we can carry him in Pennsylvani aagainst Van Buren I will not
permit myself to doubt. To accomplish this object however we must
avail ourselves of all the means within our reach. A thought has
occurred to me that it would be a good hit at present to get a plate
engraved representing the Battle of Tippecanoe, and in conversation
with an engraver upon the subject he coincided entirely in my views,
and is willing and desires to undertake it. He is an artist of skill
and talent and a politician withal — and he will recollect (?) the effect
produced by the engraving and circulation of the print representing
the Battle of New Orleans, in favor of Gen[era]l Jackson. Now then
« Cf. Note 42, Page 83.
84
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
after this preface, to the point. My object in writing to you is to get
you to obtain from Gen[era]l Harrison himself or some particular and
confidential friend, a sketch of the Battle ground with the positions
of the Americans and Indians at the most interesting part of the en-
gagement so as to have a print as near as may be conform to the
truth of the history. A small engraved portrait of the Gen[era]l
with a description of the imiform he used — the Horse he rode etc.,
etc., would also be desirable — and the sketch of the Battle groimd
should be accompanied by references and explanations. Now are you
not on intimate terms enough with the Gen [era]l or some of his friends
to procure this for me? I presume you are and shall therefore ex-
pect to hear from you soon in relation to the matter. I presiune the
Battle of Tippecanoe would be the most eventful period in the history
of the Gen[era]rs life, but if it was thought any of his exploits in the
last War would be better, let a sketch be provided instead of the
other. There can be no doubt but if a print was well got up, as it
could be here by the talented artist to whom I allude and in whose
behalf I write, its publication and general distribution would produce
a most powerful effect, and no time should now be lost in setting
about the accomplishment of the object. It may be understood that
the soiu-ce from whence we should derive the information would be
perfectly confidential, and indeed no person need know, (if you could
from yoiu- terms of intimacy with Gen[era]l Harrison apply to him
personally) any thing about it except ourselves. You know enough
about me and of my standing in Penn[sylvani]a to speak with confi-
dence as to my views, and the honorableness of my intentions. The
more I have thought of the subject the more importance I deem it,
and I am desirotis that the matter should be attended to as soon as
possible. I presume C[harles] Hammond** is friendly to Gen [era] 1
H[arrison] and if necessary you might speak to him upon the subject
— but I should prefer if you are familiar enough with the Gen[era]l
yourself that the application be made by you personally. There is
you know a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood leads
on to fortune. That flood is now setting in ; the tide which is bear-
ing the Gen[era]l at present into popular favor is steady and increas-
ing. Our prospects in Penn[sylvani]a are certainly flattering. The
Jackson party is broken — split up — divided. The bitter enmities (?)
are very inveterate against each other and the breach is widening
*^ Cf. Note 47, Quarterly II, i8.
85
Digitized by
Google
daily. I intend commencing soon some articles in our leading print
here which I hope will have a good effect in bringing the Gen[era]l
more prominently before the people of Penn[sylvani]a and I hope from
Cincinnati we shall be furnished with all the material necessary to in-
sure to the cause the most triumphant success. Please excuse the
trouble I am giving you by this communication and answer me as
soon as in your power that I may know what calculations to make
relative to the object I have in mind.
Very truly yours
G. B. Trevor
Excuse this hasty scrawl — ^I haven't time to correct and amend*
XIII.
WILLIAM L. MILLER TO [JAMES K. FINDLAY?]
[Box 17, No. 34]
New Haven, [Penna.] 3 November, 1836.
Dear Jim^
I have concluded to write you this evening, for fear my hand may
shake so bad, tomorrow evening that I cannot write. Tomorrow
seals the fine prospects of many men in our state and the fair pros-
pects of some in your state. General Harrison has been here" which
I have kept you advised of by the papers. Tomorrow, he goes by the
Board, like his great man Stoover (?) of barbacue. I have to try
the course against N. Ewing, the Lawyer, your father knows him ;
there is three Lawyers Runs for Convention*® on the Harrison side
and three Clodhoppers and Mechanics on the Van Buren side, and I
will just tell you, that in case there is a majority of Vanburin, or
anti Bank men elected to the Convention, that the charter of the
Mamoth bank will be nullifide.** Mark my prediction. I think the
General has done his cause no good by his electionearing tour. I
have no doubt our state will give Vanburen a majority of 10 or 15000,
in this I may be mistaken."
^7 For references to Harrison's tour see NiUs Register ^ LI, passim.
^This convention, elected in fall of 1836 to amend the constitution assem-
bled in May 1837. Cf. McGOl, Thaddeus Stevens, 47, 48.
«Cf. UcCaxihy in Report 0/ Am, Hist. Ass'n, 1902, Vol. I, 476, 477, 488.
The Second United States Bank had been granted a State charter by the Pennsyl-
vania legislature the preceding January.
^ The vote for President in Pennsylvania was Van Buren 91,383, Harrison,
86,784. The arbitrary course of the Antimason party under the leadership of Thad-
86
Digitized by
Google
Give my respects to Dr. S. and tell him to keep cool as he hears
of New York and P[ennsylvani]a. going against the Gen[era]l. for so
it must be. I will give you the returns as fast as I git them and you
send me from Ohio.
XIV.
SAMUEL EVANS TO GEORGE P. TORRENCE.
[Box 5, No. 72.]
June 4, 1838.
D[eaySir:
I have received y[ou]r reply to my letter ....
We have no domestic news of much consequence. Nat Ewing"
is Judge in place of Baird, and I think will make an excellent one.
Union is improving rapidly and is in a prosperous condition. Johny
Campbell is as usual — except not Post-Master— Amos" reformed him,
which made him for some weeks as restless as a caged Wild-cat.
They say Dick Coulter" of Westmoreland has come out for Porter"
and Van Buren, and will in consequence go to Congress again. Andy
Stewart" is "figuring" to get back to Congress — ^but I think it will
be "no go."
I am clearly of the opinion that if the race in Pennsylvania should
be between Harrison and Van Buren that Harrison will get the Vote
of the State." Mr. Clay has been gaining rapidly in Penn[sylvani]a,
and it is the opinion here that he is the most available Candidate in all
the States except the Key-stone. But do not be deceived by the result of
the Governor's election, unless the majority against Ritner should be
dens Stevens, the struggle over the state incorporation of the Bank, and the ordinary
democratic proclivities of many of the Germans who had supported Ritner on state
issues, were responsible for this result. Cf. McCarthy, 483.
*^ See preceding letter, page 86.
*• Amos Kendall, then Postmaster-General.
" His name does not appear in the list given in NiUs' Register y LV, 129.
^ David Rittenhouse Porter, of Huntingdon G>., Pk., a Scotch-Irish iron manu-
facturer and a democrat of the Wolf tjrpe, was nominated by the democrats for
Governor. Ritner was made the scapegoat for all the extravagance and political in-
trigue of the past few years ; and despite appeals made to the German element to sup-
port him on racial lines, was defeated by a small majority. This campaign, which
'< will rank as one of the worst in American history,'' resulted in the episode known
as the '* Buckshot War." McCall, Thaddem Stevens, 50 ; McCarthy, 494.
« Cf. Box 22, No. 20.
^For the meetings of Committees to further Harrison's candidacy in Pennsyl-
vania. Cf. McMaster, VI, 551.
87
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
great— ior I am inclined to the opinion that Porter will be elected by
a small majority. So you will perceive that we are in a '' strange
fix." The dissatisfaction in P[ennsylvani]a is great with the General
Government — but Ritner's adm [inistration] is not as popular as that
of Van Buren is unpopular. However this is all ''guess and specula-
tion.''
I saw your brother Jo the other day across the street — ^he looked
well and sound. I think George Meason (of Thomas) will be our
next sheriff. The people in y[ou]r old neighborhood are in great glee
about the Balti[more] and Ohio Railroad." They now have money
in abundance, and will no doubt soon commence operations along the
Yo[u]h[ghiogheny.] Old Fayette" is still probably Van Burenish,
but I do think we could elect Jim Simonson and your brother Jo
to the Legislature if they would consent to run. We will see this
(Court) week. Oiu* man Todd** has got up wonderfully in the world,
from a bound-boy, a common wood-chopper at Masons, to be Att[or-
ne]y General, and now Chief Judge of the Kling's bench. They are
the kind of boys to push and shove along thro this world ....
XV.
G. W. JONES TO GEORGE P. TORRENCE.
[Box 13, No. 46.]
Columbus, Monday Evening, Febry 24, 1840.
Dear Sir,
The convention* which had just adjourned is said to have ex-
ceeded anything of the kind ever held in Ohio or any other State,
and which I am inclined to believe is the fact from what I saw of it.
From Springfield to Columbus we met nothing but a mass of human
forms of every description, from the old gray haired veteran of 80 to
the beardless boys, some in carriages, some in four horse waggons,
some on horseback, some in canoes, and log cabins erected on wheels
^ The map accompanying the 25th report of the B. & O. Railroad shows that
this road along the Youghiogheny is not completed or even projected.
^ Fayette County, one of the Western group, and the original home of Torrence,
had given a majority for Van Buren in 1836.
w For a notice of James Todd, Cf. McCarthy, 480.
^ For an account of this convention Cf. McMaster, VI, 564.
88
Digitized by
Google
and along the road nothing was to be heard but "hurra for Har-
rison", ''Hurra for Tippecanoe'*. Sunday as it was many of their
banners were hoisted and streaming in the wind, even from some of
the houses and particularly the Sotel, were flags with "Harrison and
Tyler", but I need not attempt to describe what you have heard more
elegantly expressed forty times, before this reaches you. Suffice it to
say that if I had wanted evidence of the General's popularity, yester-
day would have been sufficient.
XVI.
D. TORRENCE TO GEORGE P. TORRENCE.
[Box 25, No. 7.]
Xenia, August 4TH, 1840.
Dear Sir :
There is another subject however which I wish to mention and one
for which I crave your notice. It is well known to you that there is
much political excitement at this time. That the interests of the
South and the feelings of the Abolitionists in the north are likely to
clash. Which if they really do, than the defeat of Gen [eral] Harri-
son, nothing is more sure. We have a strong body of abolitionists in
this coimty, and they have to a man been warmly attached to "Old
Tip " till these late letters have come to the publick. In this county
and I believe in this state the abolitionists hold the balance of power
between us and the levelers. If we lose them we lose the Coimty and
I fear the State. I wish you, if you please, as no doubt you are fre-
quently in conversation with the old Gen [eral]. To ascertain
whether he is favourable not only to the right of petition and free dis-
cussion in general^ But whether he believes strictly speaking, that
abolitionists or others have a constitution [al] right to discuss the sub-
ject of slavery, by lectures, and in the publick prints. And whether
he is favorable to the right [of] petition, to having petitioners even
on this subject respectfully received by Congress." The reason why
*u Por the presence and strength of this abolition sentiment and for the popular
impression of Harrison's position, Cf. McMaster, VI, 567-570, 579 ; Shepard, Van
Buretiy 381. "Harrison in May, 1835, at Vincennes, Indiana, made a strong speech
against the abolitionist movement then beginning to attract public attention. Cf.
Todd & Drake, Life of Harrisofiy 135-139. At Girthage, Ohio, on August 20,
he delivered a speech, expressing his regret at the public discussion of a subject
strictly within the control of individual states, but at the same time defending the right
of free speech and free petition. Cf. NiUs Register ^ LIX, 42.
89
Digitized by VjOOQIC
I ask for information on these subjects is this. I have been and yet
am ingaged in controversy in the Abolition-Whig paper here respect-
ing the duty of abolitionist [s] in voting for Gen[eral] H[arrison] or
a third man. The position I have taken is, That in the election of
Gen [eral] Harrison there would be a triumph over Slavery.
I do not ask this information to make a public use of it, but only
to see whether I cannot have some incouragement to hold on.
Though I think a public avowal of the Gen [eral] 's opinions on these
subjects might not hurt him in the South and would do him much
good in the north.
This would make the Abolitionists easy and without them, I doubt
whether he can get a free state in the union except Indiana and
Illinois.
I fear — realy I fear, the Whigs, and even Gen [eral] H[arrison]
is ignorant of the strength and feelings of antislavery men. The
Whig press represent them as contemptible in numbers which is not
the case.
I Crave an answer the first leisure you have. Remember me to
your family
Yours Sincerely, D. Torrence.
XVII.
SAMUEL EVANS TO GEORGE P. TORRENCE.
[Box 5, No. 73.]
October 17, 1840.
Dr Sir,
We have the strongest hopes that we have carried Pennsylvania
for
Tippecanoe,
and Tyler too.
Our Majority in 31 Counties and i City is 6095
Van Burens Majority in 1836 in the 23 counties still
to be heard from was 4901
1194**
My conjecture is that Van's maj[orit]y in the said 23 Counties will in
1840 not exceed 3000.
^ These figures are, of course, for the state election. Pennsylvania, the first of
the states to cast a vote for the national candidates did not do so until October 30th.
For election details Cf. McMaster VI, sSyff.
90
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
In Berks we did not oppose them — therefore don't let them im-
pose their whole vote there on you as a majority. Their majority in
Berks according to our estimate will not exceed 3300.
We are in the highest spirits — confident that we will carry the
State for Harrison and Tyler on the 30th.
XVIII.
MRS. JANE CATH. WEVER TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 28, No. 30.]
Near Hagerstown, March 15TH. /41
Mrs Findlay
Dear Madam : — I am unused to solicitation at court, but my hus-
band being now in Washington and an applicant for the Office of
Paymaster at Harpers ferry I am induced to presume on your goodness,
and ask your aid with the Pres [i] d [en] t. for the office in question.
The salary is a small one, but owing to the deranged state of the
monetary affairs of our country during the late mal-administration
and the present imsettled state of business, would be of great service
and very acceptable.
Having been intimately connected by bonds of amity and friend-
ship which distance alone has interupted with one branch of Gen-
[era]'l. Findlay's family — that of. Col. John Findlay"^ of Chambers-
burg, and having been in some slight degree acquainted with yourself
I avail myself of this as an opening to address you in behalf of my
husband, feeling great hopes that you will do me the favor to mention
my solicitude to Gen [era] 1. Harrison.
I have heard Mr. Wever speak of the friendly aid rendered him
by Gen[era]l. Findlay, in the procurement of the appointment of
Sup [erintenden] t. of the Cumberland road, conferred on him by Mr.
Adams, and I am aware of his selection at that time, of Mr. Nathan
Findlay,** as his clerk in consequence of his grateful feelings to him,
and to Messrs John and W [illia]m. Findlay" for their aid in procuring
him the appointment.
I cannot, tho* it may here appear irrelevent, mentioning here the
high esteem in which I hold my old friend W. N. Findlay, and here
I may also say, that after Mr. Wever had resigned his appointment
« Cf. Quarterly i I, p. 65.
^ Nathan Findlay was a brother of James.
« Cf. Quarterly, I, p. 65.
91
Digitized by
Google
on the Road, after Gen [era] 1. Jacksons appointment to the presi-
dency, Mr. W[ever] exerted himself in Mr. N[athan]. F[indlay's]
behalf in explaining personally and confidentially to the Engineer
department the necessity and importance of keeping him in office,
as the clerk of the Superintendent.
Had not my husband been a most faithful officer and done, what
in later years has been rather unfashionable to do, honorably, satis-
factorily and promptly settled his account, for the disbursement of a
large sum of money, I could not expect him to be successful ; but he
has done so, and therefore I can feel no hesitation in asking for what
I confidently feel will never be abused.
Please then, dear Madam, mention my suit to Gen [era] 1. Harri-
son : Ladies may sometimes lend an aid in these matters and if you
can further my husband's views, thro' any of your friends or by per-
sonally mentioning it to Gen [era] 1. Harrison I feel confident you
will not refuse. May I anxiously solicit your friendly aid whilst I
subscribe myself
XIX.
J. K. FINDLAY TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 8, No. 8.]
Lancaster, [Pa.], March 25, 1841.
My dear Aunt,
George W. Harris Esq. of Harrisburg the bearer of this letter, is
about to visit Washington for the purpose of soliciting the appoint-
ment of Postmaster of that town. Mr. Harris is the son of Robert
Harris, Esq[uire], of that place (whom you know very well) and a
descendant of the proprietor of the town. His mother and mine were
great friends and there has always been great intimacy and friendship
between the families. Mr. Harris' integrity is spotless and his quali-
fications unquestionable and I feel very certain that the General could
not possibly select any one of his friends who would be more accept-
able to the respectable mention of both political parties than he. He
has among his opponents a Mr. Jones who I understand is well off
and has not half the influence and standing Mr. H[arris] has. I am
candid when I say that it would be the interest of my party that Mr.
H[arris] should be disappointed, for they could certainly make polit-
ical capital out of it. But I don't wish in this instance to make
92
Digitized by
Google
political gain by the rejection of my friend Harris, for whom I have
alwa3rs had a great regard and esteem, altho' differing from him in
politics. Nor would I ask you to use your influence with the General
to persuade him to do an act which I thought would injure him with
his political friends. I am politically not personally opposed to the
General. But you may rest assured that those of his friends whose
good opinion he would most appreciate and the public generally will
be more pleased with Mr. Harris appointment than with that of any
other man he could select. I hope you will do him all the kind
offices in your power for if Mr. Penach is to be removed I should be
personally exceedingly gratified to see my friend Harris installed
as his Successor.
I am glad to hear from Mr. Buchanan that you will visit Pennsyl-
vania next summer. My Saray and I will meet you somewhere. She
loves you already in anticipation and sends a great deal of it to you
and as for myself I am ever tenderly and affectionately
Your nephew
J. K. Findlay.
P. S. — My love to Cousin Jenny •• and to Cousin Eliza too. Tell
them I had no idea of the mendacity of the press till it began to praise
their beauty.
XX.
ELIZA M. LEWIS TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 14, No. 44.]
Calhoun, Rives C[oun]ty, April 3D, 1841.
Dear Madam
Circumstances of a painful nature, have induced me to recall to
your memory an acquaintance whom perhaps you may have forgotten,
in the changing scenes of eleven years, but in all the vicissitudes of
those painful years (to me) the kindness of Mrs. Findlay and the
warm hearted old General, and the happiest six months of her life
spent beneath the same roof with them, has never been forgotten by
Eliza McLean. Alas, I little thought at that time what trials awaited
me, young, gay, and thoughtless. I little thought that the same year
•* Mrs. Jane Findlay Harrison, daughter-in-law of the President ; "Cousin
Eliza** is probably Elizabeth Irwin Harrison, wife of John Scott Harrison.
93
Digitized by
Google
that made me a happy bride would see me a bereaved widow. A few
months after parting from you in Cincinnati, it pleased God to take
my excellent husband. You, my dear Madam, who knew his worth,
can have an idea what a loss he was not only to me but to his state ;
his aflfairs were so deranged, that nothing was left for a support for
me and my infant daughter, bom some months after her fathers de-
cease. My health became too delicate for me to try and earn one,
consequently I was forced to be a dependent on my relatives, for
nearly four years, at the end of which time I married again. My
husband's name is Lewis, of the ancient family of that name in Vir-
ginia. His father was a nephew and one of the heirs of Gen[era]l.*^
Washington, but left his children nothing except their good name,
the high minded honour and polished manner of old Virginia gentle-
men, a race now nearly extinct. A continued series of casualties or
bad fortune has ever since our marriage befallen us and still kept us
poor, several years since we emigrated this ''far west", in hopes of
bettering our situation. My husband calculates on getting contracts
for surveying public lands, having been engaged for some years pre-
vious in that business, but the spirit of party was so high in this Hum-
bug state, that the Surveyor General was too good a democrat to let
contracts to a Whig, although knowing well his proficiency in the
business. It appears ridiculous enough, but such we all know has
been the custom of the mal -administration, and nowhere has its arbi-
trary measures been more severely felt than in this good Benton state.
The pressure of the times has been felt even in this remote district
and we have as usual had our share of misfortune ; much of our little
all has been already sacrificed, and in a few months more, the last of
that little must go. It is under these painful circumstances, that I
have had the presumption, I may call it, of asking (through your
mediation) of the President an appointment that will place an honest
and intelligent man in a station where he may be useful to himself
and his country, and enable him to stem the tide of misfortune. I
am well aware that I am acting out of all precedent in thus asking an
office for my husband, but despair will carry us great lengths, and
hope taking her place still urges us onward.
I almost despair when I think of my presumption in applying to
the President himself, who knows nothing of me, but hope nerves me
^ The name of George Lewis is mentioned in The Last Will and Testament of
General George Washington^ (Phila. 1800) p. 12, 15.
94
Digitized by
Google
again when I think that your kind heart, dear Madam, will plead my
cause. Of my husbands character I cannot say too much. I hope
you knew me well enough to know that I would not ask if he were
unworthy. His integrity, his honorable character, his warm though
humble exertions in Gen[era]l Harrisons cause, can be well attested
by hundreds of respectable and hardy pioneers. He has been advised
by his friends to solicit the office of register or receiver of some of
the land offices, or that of surveyor general, for either of which he is
well qualified but he never has seemed to think it possible for a
moment, nor do I believe they have ever for a moment dreamed of an
office. He is too disinterested to think of it and rather than enroll
himself one of the hundred applicants would be contented to struggle
on still harder for the sake of his helpless family, but I cannot see
him thus without making one eflfort to aid him, though that eflfort,
Heaven knows, may prove ineffectual. He knows nothing at all of
my writing. I have kept it and will keep it a secret from him unless
the President is kind enough to read my plain tale and hearken to his
native goodness of heart by granting my petition. I know, my Dear
Madam, that you will befriend me and should I be successful, the
prayers of a grateful mother shall ascend to Heaven with those of her
innocent daughter hourly for your welfare. I have said my husband
knew nothing of my design in writing this. I would not for a
moment add to his troubles by exciting hopes that might again be
crushed.
I might possibly [have] persuaded him to apply for an office in the
usual way by getting up recommendations and getting our congress-
man to present them, but then the probable disappointment would
have been mortifying ; I have therefore chosen the shortest way, re-
serving the mortification of a probable refusal all to myself. I will
only add again that the character of my husband (I here speak im-
partially as though he were not my husband) will stand the test of the
most rigid examination. I throw myself on the generosity of Gen-
[era]l. Harrison knowing it does not often fail those in misfortune,
and your goodness, my dear Madam, for exctising this long and
tedious letter. A few lines from you will be thankfully received
whether realizing or crushing my hopes ; if the former you can better
imagine my feelings than I describe, if the latter, I am prepared to
struggle on, trusting that God will "temper the wind to the shorn
lamb". And now dearest Madam will you excuse this long letter?
95
Digitized by
Google
The very many happy hours spent with you will never be forgotten
by your sincere friend
Eliza M. Lewis.
P. S. — My husband's name is George Lewis, if you will be kind
enough to write to me, my address is E. M. Lewis, Calhoun, Rives
county, Missouri.
XXI.
THOMAS B. VAN HORNE TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 26, No. 77.]
Near Lebanon April 4TH 1841.
Dear Madam^
The warm and uninterrupted friendship which existed for more
than twenty years between yoiu: deceased husband and myself, and the
repeated marks of kindness received from you during that time and
since, mtist plead my excuse for addressing you at this time. I feel
greatly rejoiced that events and circumstances which have transpired
render it proper that you and Mrs. Jane Harrison, a female I always
loved, should be inmates of the Presidents house, and yet I cannot
but regret that our mutual friend Mr. Whitetnan *® should be deprived
of yoiu- society and hers, and your supervision and assistance in his
family. Poor man, he looked when I saw him a few days after your
departure from Cincinnati, as if he had lost nearly all his friends.
Indeed he told me, that if he had thought the election of Gen[eral]
Harrison would have made such a breach in his family,^ he would
have been almost tempted to have wished him unsuccessful.
The interest which Gen [eral] Findlay manifested in matters which
related to my interest and official character,^ whilst a Military and a
Land officer, and the belief that you also felt some anxiety in the
same matters, prompt me to say a few words on the subject of my ap-
plication to be reinstated in the office from which I was removed, be-
cause I would not use my official influence in favor of the then exist-
® Probably Lewis Whiteman whom she afterwards married.
w General Harrison's wife preferred to remain at North Bend, so it was necessary
for his daughter-in-law, accompanied by Mrs. James Findlay, to preside over the do-
mestic affiurs of the White House.
70 For correspondence between Van Home and General Findlay Cf. Box 26,
Nos. 70-77. The former was removed from his position as register of the land office
in Piqua, and was not restored as a result of this letter.
96
Digitized by
Google
ing administration. A package of recommendatory letters and papers
which were forwarded to Mr. Morrow^ the Member of Congress from
this District, were left by him with Mr. Stewart of Illinois to present
to Mr. Ewing" after he should have taken possession of the Treasury
Department — Mr. Morrow left Washington the day after the inaugu-
ration, and consequently could not present them himself. He told
me the other day, that he had received no acknowledgement of the
receipt of them from Mr. Ewing, and I am rather fearful that something
may have occurred, which has prevented them from being received as
intended. I am aware that there must necessarily be a very great
press of business in all the Departments of the Government, and
therefore feel imwilling to trouble the President with the subject by a
written communication addressed to him. Will Mrs. Findlay at her
own time, and in her own way (but not to induce the belief that I am
importuneing improperly) do me the favor to make the inquiry of
Gen[eralJ Harrison whether he has any knowledge of my application ?
and also whether he intends the present incumbent, Mr. Helfenstein,
shall continue in the Registers office at Lima.
I regret that I have no male friend in the President's family whom
I could address on this business. But I flatter myself that Mrs.
Findlay will not entertain the thought that I would ask any favor of
her which I considered improper to be granted.
My family and friends in this vicinity are well.
With sentiments of esteem and respect, I am Dear Madam, your
sincere friend and
hum-Servt.
Thos. B. V. Home.
Mrs. Jane Findlay,
Washington,
P. S. — I have been encouraged to believe by Mr. Morrow and
other friends, that I should receive the appointment named and feel
some anxiety on the subject, that I may be prepared to act according
to circumstances, and make such arrangements as may become nec-
essary, if successful or otherwise.
T. B. V. H.
^ Hon. Jeremifth Morrow who lived near Lebanon, and who late in life for a term
returned to the scene of his early labors in Congress. For an account of his long and
useihl career as congressman, governor, and senator, Cf. **Old Northwtsf Genea-
logical Quarterly f Vol. IX, in which appears a valuable biography by his grandson,
Josiah Morrow, Esquire, of Lebanon.
w Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, the Secretary of the Treasury.
97
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
XXII.
JAMES R. BUTLER TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 3, No. 52.] *
Arsenal [Pittsburg] 7th April, 1841.
My dear Madam^
How deeply do I sympathize with the family and friends of my
departed friend Gen[era]l Harrison, than whom I never had a
warmer one. This lamented infliction of Providence changes the po-
sition of the members of his family at Washington, who will no doubt
return home. Mrs. Butler begs that you and Mrs. W[illiam] Harrison "
and any other of his friends who may accompany you, will make our
home your home. I would advise you to journey by the way of the
Penn[sylvania] Canal ;^* and by dropping me a line on the day you
leave Harrisburgh^ I will then know and make arrangements to meet
you on your arrival at the Canal Basin, Pittsburg
Since closing the letter to you a messenger arrives with news of the
death of Judge Dallas.^*
XXIII.
WILLIAM FINDLAY TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box 7, No. 71.]
Philadelphia, April 8, 1841.
Dear Sister^
I did suppose that the vigor of the President's constitution af-
forded the promise of a long life for him, but alas ! how short sighted
we are. His unexpected Demise, however we may speculate upon the
means which led to it, according to my views on the subject, it was
to be and, of course, would be, I am a strong predestenarian on such
points and believe the event to be in perfect accordance with the plan
adopted by Deity for the government of the Universe, and though we
cannot comprehend this plan, as we can see but a part and not the
whole of his system of Government, we are boimd to submit to all
his decrees with humble and becoming resignation. The melancholy
event, as we view it, will not be without its effects on the politics of
^' Mrs. William H. Harrison, Jr., of course.
7^ Later the line closely followed by the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
WA. J. Dallas, fieither of George M. Dallas, vice-president tmder Polk.
98
Digitized by
Google
our Country and the future management of our Government. The
consequences of it to his family are much to be deplored and will be
long felt by them, and with whom I sincerely sympathize. They
have lost their earthly Guardian and protector and the bright pros-
pects which opened to their view by his recent elevation in this world
are blasted. They may however console themselves with a well
founded hope, that he has been elevated to more sublime and blessed
enjoyments than anything which this world could afford.
His death will greatly affect several of our Family connections. I
am fully impressed that he was kindly disposed towards many of
them, and which he would have, evinced by efficient acts had he been
longer spared. He would, especially, have given brother Thomas,'*
a situation which would have enabled him to maintain his Family. . .
Yesterday a large meeting was held by the citizens of the City and
County of Phlid. to make arrangements to manifest their respect for
the memory of the President. You may shortly see an account of the
affair in the newspapers. I was not able to attend the meeting. The
mint was shut on the day, still I had to do business for some gentle-
men who were travelling.
Remember me affectionately to our dear Niece Jane, I deeply
commiserate the loss of her good Father-in-law
Your brother
Mrs. Jane Findlay Wm. Findlay
care of Gen[era]l. Jesup
Washington City
XXIY.
JAMES FINDLAY HARRISON" TO MRS. JANE FINDLAY.
[Box lo. No. s.]
U. S. M. A. Oct 2 2nd, [1841].
Dearest Auntie^
Uncle James'* has not answered my letter, which I wrote at Ma's
request, and I am angry with him on that account. He is so proud
'« For Thomas Finley, Cf. Quarterly I, 66.
•n Son of W. H. Harrison, Jr.
^ James Ramsay Irwin, a captain in the Mexican War and Chief Quartermaster
to Scott's army. He died in Mexico City in 1848. His sister Jane had married W.
H. Harrison, Jr.
99
Digitized by
Google
that because I met with misfortune he does not care for me. Tis
ever thus when Fortune favours all, all are ones friends but when once
She frowns the luke warm friends fly away like rats from a sinking
ship. But before such friends desert me they had better inquire how
much their desertion afflicts me and if I will ever be able to survive
the shock. I saw Gen [era] 1 Jesup^ as I came back. I went up to
him as an old friend — held out my hand — How are you General? in
as warm a manner as I would have met a relation. How are you Mr.
Harrison? (in a cold formal tone). How is your Aunt and Mother.
Well we met again in the cars, I thought to have a chat with him.
He commenced the conversation by asking me Where is Mr. Long-
worth? I dont know General, I'll find him, said I. I looked-found
-and sent Joe Longworth to him and that was the last word we spoke
except to say Goodbye Gen[era]l, Goodbye Mr, Harrison. How
different when I was the grandson of President Harrison. He — this
same General Jesup would sit and talk with us for hours. His bat-
tles, dangers, etc., etc., would be repeated over and over — His fuss
with Gen[era]l Scott etc.
General Scott — ^how different is this noble old chief. **You have
lost your best friend, I will be one to you now** were his words to me
in Washington and he has ever been kind and condescending. He
has honoured me in a way I shall never forget. Once at the hotel he
put both his hands on my shoulders and introduced me to a host of
officers as his/riend Cadet Harrison. I am forever that man's friend
as long as I live and will always support him with all my soul and
hand.
XXV.
From The Cincinnati Gazette y July 8th, 1841.
THE FUNERAL OBSEQUIES.— Our citizens, yesterday morn-
ing, rendered their last honors to the earthly remains of their late
friend and fellow-citizen, William Henry Harrison. The hearse
which bore the body from the residence of Col[onel] Taylor*" to the
steamboat that conveyed it to North Bend, was preceded by the
company of Dragoons, and the several military companies which ar-
^ Thomas Jesup. An intimate friend of General James Findlay and of General
Harrison, as shown by their correspondence, in which they often mention his resi-
dence as their headquarters, while in Washington.
* See note 39.
100
Digitized by
Google
rived from the Louisville Encampment in time to join in the proces-
sion, and followed by relatives and personal friends of the deceased,
by the Committee which brought it from Washington, the Committee
of Forty which had been appointed to make arrangements for the
Obsequies, the City Council, Officers and Soldiers of the late war,
Judges and Officers of the Superior and Common Pleas Coiuts, mem-
bers of the Bar, Odd Fellows, Firemen, other Associations, and large
numbers of citizens in individual capacity.
The procession moved, to solemn music, from the residence of
Col[onel] Taylor on Sixth street west to Race ; thence south to Fourth ;
thence east to Broadway; thence down Broadway to the wharf, and
on the wharf to the steamboat Raritan, which lay at the foot of Main;
and the pavements, and doors and windows of houses, for the whole
of this distance, were crowded with persons, numbering doubtless
from 18,000 to 20,000 who had assembled to have a last look, as it
passed, of the coffin which inclosed the body of the venerated dead.
The boat left the wharf for the Bend about one o'clock, bearing with
the remains the Committees, the detachment of United States Marines,
and relatives of the deceased. By special invitation, the Rev. John
T. Brooke went down, to perform the funeral service of the Church
of England, at the tomb.
It is much to be regretted, that all the Companies which formed
the Oakland Encampment, did not reach the city in time to join in
the procession. The Louisville, Butler, Harrison and Citizens
Guards, and the Dayton Artillery, left soon after the others, but on a
boat which ran much slower than the Mail and did not arrive here
till just as the Raritan was putting off with the remains.
He is Gone ! — Of the ceremonies which took place yesterday, we
attempt no labored or particular account. Our feelings disqualify us
for anything of this kind. It is with great difficulty, indeed, that we
can realize the melancholy truth, that he who a few months ago was
moving daily among us, the theme of all tongues, the toast of all
tables, the one object, next to selfoi universal regard and almost uni-
versal admiration — that he who at a later period, was fully invested,
in the midst of assembled thousands from all parts of the Union, with
the highest honors which a free and grateful people could bestow, and
received them as became a republican statesman and a christian man
— that he who, immediately after this, entered upon the discharge of
the high duties imposed, with a solemn sense of their great responsi-
bility and a noble determination to be governed in all things relating
101
Digitized by
Google
to them by conscientious convictions of the right; that this good man
has gone from among us, from among all living, and forever, it is
difficult, indeed, fully to realize. Such, nevertheless, is the melan-
choly truth. We have looked upon him and upon the earthly taber-
nacle of his spirit, for the last time. We shall see his long-familiar
form, gaze upon his well- remembered features, hear the tones of his
still-ringing voice no more — no more forever. He is GONE !
<*GoDe to the land of the great departed,
^ Gone to the Silent Land. ' *
And it is only given us, henceforth, to venerate his character, to keep
green the memory of his good deeds, and to emulate his virtues. At
this time, 'expressive silence' will best 'muse his praise.'
< How sleep the brave, who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest ;
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold.
Returns to deck their hallowed mould ;
She there shall dress a sweeter sod.
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod :
By Fairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung ;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim grey,
, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ;
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there !
102
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
/d^l^.:'\b
I I
The Quarterly F^iblication of
the Historical and Philosoph-
ical Society of Ohio
CINCINNATI OHIO
Vol. III. 1908. No. 4
OCTOBER-DECEMBER
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Quarterly Publication of the His-
torical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
Vol. Ill, 1908, No. 4
OCTOBER-DECEMBER
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Entered as tecond-clast matter June 12, 1906, at the post-office at Cincinnati,
Ohio, under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894.
r
Committee in Charge of Publication
CHARLES T. GREVE.
MERRICK WHITCOMB.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
ANNUAL REPORT
Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio
For the Year Ending
December 7, 1908
CINCINNATI
PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OFFICERS FOR 1908-9
JOSEPH WILBY, ....
FRANK J. JONES, ... -
HOWARD C. HOLLISTER,
CHARLES T. GREVE, -
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW,
ALBERT H. CHATFIELD, -
MISS L. BELLE HAMLIN,
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS,
DAVIS L. JAMES,
MERRICK WHITCOMB,
FREDERICK W. HINKLE, -
ELIOTT H. PENDLETON,
President.
Vice-President.
Vice-President.
Corresponding Secretajiy
Recording Secretary.
Treasurer.
Librarian.
• Curators.
The meetings of the Society are held in its room in the Van Wonner Libimry
Building, Burnet Woods, at three in the afternoon of the first Saturday of each month
from October to May.
The library is a free public library, open to visitors daily, except Sunday, from
nine A. M. to fiye P. M.
106
Digitized by VjOOQIC
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Historical and Philosophical Society
of Ohio for 1908
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Cincinnati, Dec. 7TH, 1908.
During the year the following named accessions to the library
have been acquired : —
Books, 962
Pamphlets, - . _ . 1048
Manuscript volumes, - - 2
Manuscripts unbound, - - 99
Of the volumes added, 840 were donated; 122 piurchased and 2
others were prociured by exchange. 1040 pamphlets were donated
and 8 bought.
From the income of the Elizabeth Appleton fund there have been
bought 31 volumes. From the income of the Margaret Rives King
fund there have been bought 91 volumes aud 2 pamphlets, and 8 peri-
odicals have been credited to the General fund.
The Library contains at the present time 23,092 volumes and
about 68,962 pamphlets.
In 1906 Mr. Erasmus Gest presented 500 volumes to the Society,
which gift was not deposited in the library until after his decease in
May last. This collection of books contains some very choice works,
principally along the lines of history, biography and travel, and
while there are many which relate to foreign Countries, others bear
upon North America. There are Histories of the World ; of foreign
Countries; of the United States and other parts of America; Neal's
History of the Puritans, and Hall's Puritans and their Principles;
107
Digitized by
Google
Exodus of Western Nations by Viscount Bury; Hebrew Bible pub-
lished in Amsterdam, 1753; Brown's Antiquities of the Jews; and
numerous works of travel and others of miscellaneous character. A
large crayon portrait of Mr. Gest was included in the gift, and it has
foimd place among portraits of other members and friends of the
Society. His generosity to us and his interest in the welfare of our
Society, have been evinced in other ways, an account of which will
be found in the Report of our President for this year.
Another very acceptable gift has been received, coming from the
heirs of Mr. William Henry Davis, deceased, which consists of 56
volumes, 13 pamphlets and various miscellanies. The volumes are
chiefly of historical and biographical nature, and only ten of them
are duplicates of books previously in the library.
We are again indebted to Mr. William K. Bixby of St Louis, for
a choice production. This year he has sent to our collection a copy
of "Hamilton's Itinererium, 1742** printed from the original manu-
script in the possessiom of Mr. Bixby, who had 487 copies printed
for private distribution. It is a narrative of a journey from Annapo-
lis through the eastern States during the summer of 1744, made by
Dr. Alexander Hamilton, a practicing ph3rsician residing in Annapolis
at that period.
Miss M. E. Keyes has added to the Cabinet a large, full length pho-
tograph of Justice Stanley Matthews, and Mr. W. Meredith Yeatman
has given a photographic copy of Griffin Yeatman, one of our early
pioneers, who came from Virginia to Cincinnati about 1795, and there
kept an Inn. We have received, also, from the children of Dr.
Thomas E. Thomas of Dayton, Ohio, a photograph of the Rev. John
W. Scott, D. D. , who for many years was associated with Miami Uni-
versity, Farmer's College and the Oxford Female Seminary, in this
locality. This photograph bears the inscription "Born Jan. 22, 1800,
Photo, taken Jan. 22, 1890" and his autograph.
Only a few additions have been made to the manuscript collection
during the year. They are:
Architect's Design and Specification, with fiAy-three letters relating to the Fort
Washington monument erected by the Patriotic Societies, in East Third Street near
Ludlow Street Presented by Mr. Howard S. Winslow, who was the Chairman of
the Building Committee.
Forty-three letters of recent dates, written by various persons of prominence,
addressed to Mr. John B. Peaslee, the donor.
Manuscript book, formerly a part of the Dr. W. W. Dawson library, containing
notes taken at the Medical College of Ohio in 1849-50. From Mr. Daris L. Ja
108
Digitized by
Google
The Certificate of Naturalization of Charles Reemelin, Cincinnati, 1837. From
Mr. James Morrison.
A Patent from the U. S. GoTemment of one-quarter of a section of land " In the
District of Cincinnati and State of Indiana*' granted to David Kilgour and Griffin
Taylor, 1824. From Mr. Griffin T. Miller.
One book containing a copy of the Records of the Simpson Family as entered in
an old £Eunily Bible still in the possession of a descendant It covers the dates of the
marriage of Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson, and the births of their son Hiram
Ulysses Grant (U. S. Grant) and their other children. Further contents are an ac-
count of the Grant Memorial Exercises at Batavia, Ohio, 1907, and numerous
sketches, newspaper clippings, etc. relating to the occasion and to the Grant family.
From Mrs. Charles W. Baker, who has sent, also, two copies of the beautiful Wood-
ward Souvenir, with newspaper accounts of the la3ring of the comer stone of the New
Woodward High School Building, Nov. 4, 1908.
Mr. Nathaniel H. Davis added to the Cabinet collection a Badge
of the Executive Committee of the Taft Notification Day, July 28th,
accompanied by various Programs and Invitation cards, and to Mr.
G. R. Scrugham we are indebted for a copy of the ''Parade Com-
mittee Report" a beautiful souvenir of the proceedings of the day.
Other material bearing upon the election of the Hon. William
Howard Taft of Cincinnati to the Presidency of the United States, or
relative to any action taken by our citizens on this momentous occa-
sion, in the form of manuscripts, printed matter, pictures, cartoons,
etc., would be most appropriately placed for future reference, if
deposited in the collection of this Historical Society located in his
native city.
Governor A. L. Harris presented our Society a copy of "State
and Local Taxation" containing the proceedings of the First Na-
tional Conference held under the auspices of the National Tax Asso-
ciation, at Columbus, 1907, and the Secretary of State has sent 19
volumes of Ohio State publications to aid in filling out our incomplete
sets. We still lack a number.
By purchase we have added to the library several books on Ohio,
namely: History of Clermont and Portage Counties; History of
Western Ohio & Auglaize County; Shakers of Ohio; History of Co-
lumbus; History of Dayton; Dawson's Birds of Ohio; Van Tassel's
Book of Ohio, consisting of two large volumes with about 2000 illus-
trations of points of interest in the State, and Mr. John F. Winslow
gave copies of the ''Ohio Canals" and the "Ohio Hundred Year
Book."
Other titles acquired by purchase, are: Lowery's Spanish Settle-
ments in the United States; Hughes' History of the Society of Jesus
109
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
in North America; Channing's History of the United States, Vol. 3;
Fleming's Docmnentary History of Reconstruction; Smith's Our
Struggle for the 14th Colony; Washington-Irvine Correspondence;
Minnesota in Three Centuries; Mecklenberg Declaration of Independ-
ence; Letters of Cortez to Charles V.; Richardson's Messages and
Documents of the Confederacy; Puritans in England and New Eng-
land; Political History of the United States by Gordy; Fisher's Strug-
gle for American Independence; Trevelyan's American Revolution,
part 3; Works of James Buchanan; Histories of several Counties in
Pennsylvania; United States First Census, 1790, covering the New
England States and New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,
North and South Carolina; Several volumes of the Original Narrative
Series and of the American Commonwealth Series; Biographies, and
other works too numerous to enumerate.
Three sets: American Nation Series; Thwaites' Early Western
Travels and Lee's North America, have been completed this year.
Besides the volumes already mentioned, a curious and beautiful vol-
ume entitled ** Christopher Columbus, His own Book of Privileges,
1502" was purchased. It is a facsimile of the manuscript in the
Archives of the Foreign Office in Paris, with an English translation,
which adds to its interest.
To conduct a library as large as our own, in accordance with
modern methods, makes heavy inroads upon the time of a librarian
who has no regular assistant, and as a result the re-organization of our
entire collection, which was made necessary by its increasing size as
well as its changed abode, progresses slowly and it may be several
years before its condition reaches the standard set. As shown in pre-
ceding annual reports, the main portion of the books have been
placed under the new system of cataloguing. During this year, the
librarian, with the aid of an assistant for two months, has separated
thousands of pamplets, placing each under its special classification.
This is but the beginning of a laborious task, requiring an immense
amount of patience and perseverance, and yet, well worth while, as
even in its present unfinished state, its desirability and usefulness
have already become apparent.
L. Belle Hamlin, Librarian.
110
Digitized by
Google
DONORS TO THE LIBRARY
Vol. Pam.
American Librarj AssociatioiD» i
American Jewish Historical AssodatioD, i
Boston Qty Hospital, I
Boston City Register Department, I
Bunker Hill Monument Association, 2
Cambridge Historical Society, i
Chicago Historical Society, i
Cincinnati —
Chamber of Commerce, i
Children's Home, 2
City Auditor, 3
Commercial Qub, i
Museum Association, 12
Nomad Qub, 20
Ohio Mechanics* Institute, 3
Orchestra Association, i
Music Hall Association, i
Public Library, 6
University of Cincinnati, 29
Colorado Collie, 6
Colorado Scientific Society, 10
Connecticut Historical Society, I
Coonecticut State Library, 3 3
Essex Institute, i
Illinois State Historical Society, 2 2
Indiana Historical Society, 4
Indiana State Library, i
Institute Geol6gico de Mexico, 3 3
International Conciliation Association, I
Iowa Grand Lodge, I
Iowa Historical Department, 3.
Iowa State Historical Society, 7 5
Kansas Sute Historical Society, i i
Lake Mohonk Conference, I
Louisiana Historical Society, i
Massachusetts Historical Society, 2
Medford Historical Society, 2
Michigan Pioneer & Historical Society, i
111
Digitized by
Google
Vol. Pam .
Militaty Order of the Loyal Legion, U. S. —
California, 55
Iowa, i8
Bfinnesota, 19
New York, 34
Ohio, 28
Wisconsin, la
Milwaukee PubHc Museum, i
Missouri State Historical Society, i 5
Museo Nacional de Rio de Janiero, i
Nebraska State Historical Society, 2
Newberry Library, 2
New Hampshire Historical Society, 2
New York Lenox Library, I
New York Public Library, 9
New York State Historical Society, i
Ohio-
Agricultural Experimental Station, i
Board of State Charities, 3
Diocese of Southern Ohio, i
Secretary of State, 19
State Archaeological and Historical Society, 2
State Board of Commerce, i
Ohio Society of New York, 2
Railway News Bureau, i
Rojral Society of Canada, 3
Schenectady County Historical Society, i
Syracuse Public Library, I
Texas State Historical Society, i 3
United States-
Bureau of American Ethnology, i
Bureau of Education, 3 3
Coast & Geodetic Survey, I
Department of Agriculture, 6
Department of Conmierce & Labor, 15
Interstate Commerce, 186
Library of Congress, 2 6
Postmaster General, i
Universite de Toulouse, 3
University of California, 5
University of Michigan, i I
University of Toronto, i
Virginia State Library, 2
Washington State Historical Society, i
Washington University State Historical Society, i 2
Western Reserve Historical Society, 7
Williams' Directory Company, i
Wisconnn Natural History Society, 2
112
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Vol, Pam.
Worcester Pablk Library, i
Yile University Libnxy, 3
Alexander, C. 6., i
Anonymous, 8
Bixby, W. K., I
Bryant, T. J., I
Chaddock, R. E., i
Conner, J. S., i
Cook, Miss Diathea, i
Dempsey, E. J., i
Depew, CM., 3
Dickore, Mrs. H., • . . . . misc. & 7
Edson, Obed, i
Espy, Arthur, i
Harris, A. L., i
Hawkins, J. P., misc.
Irwin, Mrs. L. W., i
Jameson, J. F., i
Kittredge, Miss Anna, i
Mac Lean, John, 2
Maxwell, W. A., misc. & i
Middleton, Mrs. G. A., i
Moore, C, B., •** i
Peaslee, J. B., mns.,
Rogers., W. P., i
Scnigham, G. R., i
Smith, Mrs. M. P. W., i
Thayer, G. A., I
Williams, H. A., 4
MEMBERS
Anderson, Mrs. L. N., 7
Baker, Mrs. C. W., misc. & 3 3
Bliss, E. F., 8 53
Chatfield, A. H., 5 272
Cox, I. J., 2
DaTis, W. H., Estate of, misc. & 56 13
Gest, Erasmus, 500
Hamlin, L. B., ii
Holmes, D. H., misc.
James, D. L., mns. & i 16
Storer, Bellamy 5
Taylor, W. W., i
113
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Vol. Pam.
Wilby, Joseph, misc. & 2
Winslow, H. S., mns.,
Winslow, J. F., 3 54
Worthington, W., i
DONORS TO THE CABINET
Dayis, N. H., ' i Taft Badge.
Gest, Ensnms, i Portrait
James, D. L., 4 Prints.
Kejres, Miss M. E., i Portrait
Thomas, Dr. T., Children of, i Photograph.
Yeatman, W. M., i Photograph.
114
Digitized by
Google
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
There is not much to record for the past year beyond what is set
forth in the report of the Librarian.
The remoteness of our present quarters has resulted in the same
serious inconvenience as in all the years since we left Garfield Place.
Two life members have died during the past year, William Henry
Davis, on December i8th, 1907, and Erasmus Gest, on February 7th,
1 90S.
The books given to the Society by Mr. Gest in 1906, and men-
tioned in the annual report for that year, were shortly after his death
removed to our library from his late residence in Campbell County,
Kentucky.
By a codicil to his will, probated April 4, 1908, Mr. Gest be-
queathed to us, besides certain specific articles of historical and ar-
tistic value, the sum of Five Thousand Dollars (l5>ooo), as a contri-
bution to a fund for building down town a separate home for the
Society.
We have lost by death three corporate members, Reuben Haines
Warder, December 26th, 1907, Benjamin Rush Cowen, January 30th,
1908, and Miss Phoebe S. Baker, November 14, 1908.
Last February the Society joined in a movement towards collect-
ing and publishing information concerning the language of the
Miami nation of Indians, by sending Representative J. Warren Keifer
a set of resolutions on the subject requesting the Bureau of Ethnology
to take action in the matter.
Your President collected during September a further simi of
1 1 400 from the Executor of the will of Mrs. Margaret Rives King,
making, with sums heretofore received, ^7600. A balance of one or
two hundred dollars will presently be paid to us in full satisfaction of
the legacy.
Mr. Charles Theodore Greve attended, on our behalf, the meeting
of the Ohio Valley Historical Association at Marietta, Ohio, on
November 27th and 28th. We should be in sympathy with its work,
and approve Mr. Greve' s action in enrolling this Society as a member
of the Association. Its next meeting will be at Frankfort, Kentucky,
next October. Joseph Wilby, President,
December 7, 1908.
115
Digitized by
Google
REPORT OF TREASURER
December 7th, 1908.
To the President and Members of the Historical and Fhilosophicai
Society of Ohio,
I have the honor to present the annual report of the Assets and
Liabilities of The Historical and Philosophical Soqety of Ohio
for the year ending November 30th, 1908.
A. H. Chatfield, Trecuurer,
116
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
"Schedule A ••
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
At November 30th, 1908.
ASSETS.
Cash Balance, |i>039 67
Centnl Trust & Safe Deposit Co., Interest on Deposit, . . 9 S3
InTestments, Exhibit i, 23,809 42
Fee of Property No. 107 W. Eighth Street, 29,000 00
LIABILITIES.
General Fond, Exhibit 2,
Building Fund, Exhibit 3,
Endowment Fund, Exhibit 3,
Life Membership Fund, Exhibit 4,
Julius Dexter Publication Fund, — Income, . . . Exhibit 4,
«« " " *« Principal, . . Exhibit 4,
E. H. Appleton — Memorial Fund, Exhibit 5,
" ** Income Account, Exhibit 5,
Halstead Neave Fund — Investment Account, . Exhibit 5,
" " " Income Account, . . . Exhibit 5,
Margaret Rives King Fund — Income Account, . Exhibit 6,
" " «* " Investment Account, Exhibit 6,
G>lonial Dames Fund — Income Account, . . . Exhibit 6,
*' ** « Investment Account, . Exhibit 6,
Binding Fund — Income Account, Exhibit 7,
" ** Investment Account, .... Exhibit 7,
, #716 25
f 17,057 87
, 12,320 00
f S.037 13
I9« 74
, 850 00
» 4,04s 90
105 23
► 4,242 50
5 30
247 04
f 8,007 50
1473
, 200 00
, 10059
710 14
117
#53,858 92
153,858 92
Digitized by
Google
"Schedule B*
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
For Year Ended November 30th, 1908.
RECEIPTS.
INV£STMKNT MADE FROM:
Margaret Rives King Fond, |i»462 50
Interest, Accrued, 21 70
Investment made from :
Halstead Neave Fund, I4S7 5o
Interest, Accrued, 7 23
I59000
Dues — 1906, #20 00
1907, 130 00
1908, 440 00
Income from Investments :
General Fund, $$0 00
Life Membership Fund, 274 50
Julius Dexter Publication Fund, ... 36 00
£. H. Appleton Memorial Fund, ... I93 5o
Margaret Rives King Fund, 264 00
Colonial Dames Fund, 12 00
Binding Fund, 30 00
Halstead Neave Fund, 170 00
1,010 00
Rent to October 31, 1908, 107 West Eighth
St., M. M. Robertson, 800 00
Legacy of M. R. King, 1,400 00
DISBURSEMENTS.
Salaries — Librarian and Janitor, 1 1,050 00
Assistant Librarian, ^^3 3^
Card Catalogue Expense, 10 00
Printing, 258 23
Postage, 22 50
Stationery and Subscriptions, 45 ^^
General Expense, 90 65
Dues of Librarian, 10 00
Insurance, 24 50
M. R. King Fund — Purchases and Expenses, 195 27
E. H. Appleton Fund — Purchases and Ex-
penses, 86 86
#3,800 00
1,90693
1,484 20
494 73
3,88586
Excess Disbursements over Receipts, ... 85 86
Cash on hand December ist, 1907, .... 1,125 53
Cash on hand November 30, 1908, .... '>039 ^
118
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(Exhibit "I'*)
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS AND SAVINGS
DEPOSITS
At November 30th, 1908.
Gknkral Fund:
lo Shares Qnciniiati Street RaUway Co. Stock (cost), I716 25
LiFS Membership Fund :
S3 Shares Cindnnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost), 14,425 75
Part Interest in #2,000 C. & O. Ry. Co., 4^^
Bonds (cost), 314 38
4 Shares Cincinnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost), 289 00
15,029 13
Savings Deposit— 3% Cent Trust & Safe Deposit Co., 8 00
Julius Dexter Fubucation Fund:
12 Shares Gndnnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost,) ^34 00
Savings Deposit — 3% Cent. Trust and Savings Dept Co., 16 00
E. H. Appleton Memorial Fund:
3 Bonds C. H & D. Ry. Co., 4% (cost), #2,882 50
13 Shares Cincinnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost,) 677 50
2 Shares Cindnnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost,) 144 50
Part Interest in |2,ooo C. &. O. Railway Co. Stock
4>^% Bonds (Cost,) 314 37
l4,oi8 87
Savings Deposit— 3% Cent Trust & Safe Deposit Co. 27 03
Haustkad Nbave Fund :
C. L. & N. Railway Co. Bond, 4%, 1 1,000 00
Kineon Coal Co. Bond, 5%, 1,000 00
2 Norfolk & Western Railway Co. Bonds 4%, (cost,) 1,755 <^
Part Interest in Kentucky Central Ry. 4% Bond 1950, 487 50
Margaret Rives King Fund :
4 Bonds C. H. & D. Ry. Co. 4^^, (cost,) .... ^4,512 50
7 Shares Cindnnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost,) 481 25
Part Interest in $2,000 C. & O., Ry. Co., 4M^> Bond, 1,551 25
Part Interest in Kentucky Central Ry. 4% Bonds 1950, 1,462 50
10 Shares Gndnnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost,) #680 63
Savings Deposit— 3^ Cent Trust & Safe Deposit Co., 29 51
119
5»037 13
850 00
4,045 90
4,242 50
8,007 50
Colonial Damps Fund:
4 Shares Cindnnati Street Railway Co. Stock (cost,) 200 00
Binding Fund :
710 14
#23,809 43
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
(Exhibit "2'')
GENERAL FUND
RXCEIFTS AND TrANSFSRS :
Does, 1906, |20 00
" 1907, 140 00
** 1908, 440 00
$600 00
Qncinnati Street Railway Dividend, 50 00
Timnsfer from Life Membership Income Accoont, . . 274 7S
Timnsfer from Endowment Fond Acoomit of Interest
on Endowment Fwid Loan to Building Fund, . 615 00
#1,519 7«
DiSBURSEMKNTS :
Salaries — Librarian and Janitor, #if05o 00
Assistant for Librarian, ^^3 3^
Printing, 258 23
Postage, 22 50
Insurance, 24 50
Paper for Quarterly, 18 84
Subscriptions and Dues, 16 00
Dues of Librarian, . 10 00
Stationery, 10 77
Card Catalogue Expense, 10 00
General Expense, 90 65
Excess Disbursements over Receipts,
Deficit carried to Building Fund,
Investment Account, as per balance sheet,
1,624 80
105 03
IPS Qg
120
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
(Exhibit "3**)
BUILDING FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Receipts and Transfers:
Rent to Oct. ist, 1908, $Soo 00
Deficiency for year 1908 transferred to Principal
Account, 642 13
DiSBURSBBfSNTS:
Deficiency to Dec. ist, 1907, I722 1 1
Interest on Endowment Fund, 615 00
Deficiency from General Fund, 105 02
#'»44a '3
11,442 13
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance at Dec. ist, 1907, #16,977 89
Transferred from Income Account, 79 98
Credit Balance at Nov. 30th, 1908, |i7>057 87
(Exhibit "3")
ENDOWMENT FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Receipts:
Interest on Loan to Building Fund I615 00
DiSBURSSICENTS :
Transferred to General Fund, 61$ 00
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance at Dec. ist, 1907, #12,320 00
Credit Balance at Not. 30th, 1908, #12,320 00
(No change during year. )
121
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
(Exhibit "4'*)
LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Rbchpts:
Qnciiiiiati Street Railway Diyidends, #261 00
C. & O. Ry. Co. Bond Interest, 13 50
Interest on Deposits, 28
I274 7g
Disbursements :
Timnsferred to General Fund, I274 78
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance at December 1st, 1907, I5f037 13
Credit Balance at November 30th, 1908, .... ... #5>037 13
(No change during year. )
(Exhibit "4**)
JULIUS DEXTER PUBLICATION FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance December ist, 1907,
Receipts :
Cincinnati Street Railway Dividends, ^36 00
Interest on Deposits, 56
Credit Balance November 30tb, 1908,
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance December ist, 1907,
Credit Balance November 30th, 1908,
(No change during the year. )
I162 18
3656
I198 74
^50 00
$850 00
122
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
(Exhibit "5'*)
E. H. APPLETON MEMORIAL FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
RXCUFTS:
On'ti St. Ry. Co. Dividends, l45 oo
C H. & D. Ry. Co. Bond Interest, 135 oo
C. & O. Ry. Co. «* *' 13 50
Interest on Deposits, 84
Disbursements :
Books Purchased,
Credit Balance Not. 30th, 1908,
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance Dec i, 1907,
Credit Balance Not. 30th, 1908,
(No change daring year. )
#194 34
89 II
#105 ^3
l4f045 90
^045 90
(Exhibit "5'*)
HALSTEAD NEAVE FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance Dec. ist, 1907,
Rbcbipts :
C. L. & N. Ry. Co. Bond Interest, I40 00
N. & W. Ry. Co. " «« 80 00
Kineon Coal Co. *' " 50 00
Disbursements : •
Accrued Interest on Bonds Purchased, #7 23
Transferred to Principal Account, 242 50
Credit Balance Nov. 30th, 1908,
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance Dec. ist. 1907, $3t7SS 00
Vut of Purchase of Ky. Central Ry. Bonds, 4%, .... 487 50
Credit Balance Nov. 30th, 1908,
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance Dec. ist, 1907, I245 00
Transferred from Income Account, 242 50
Transferred to Investment Account (Purchase of Kentucky
Central Ry. 4% Bonds),
123
^503
170 00
I255 03
I249 73
$S 30
$4f242 so
I487 SO
M7 50
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
Exhibit "6"
MARGARET RIVES KING FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance December ist, 1907, ^262 51
RlCEIPTS:
Cincianati Street Railway Co. Dividends, ^21 00
264 00
526 SI
C. H. & D. Ry. Co. Bond Interest, 180 00
C. & O. Ry. Co. Bond Interest, 63 00
DiSBURSEBCENTS :
Purchase of Books, ^195 27
Accrued Interest on Bonds Porchased, 21 70
Transferred to Principal Account, 62 50
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance at December 1st, 1907,
Purchase of Kentucky Centra] Railway 4^ Bonds, . . .
Credit Balance at November 30th, 1908,
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT.
Cash Received October Sth, 1908,
Transferred from Income Account,
Transferred to investment Account (Purchase of Kentucky
Central Railway 4^ Bonds),
Exhibit "6"
COLONIAL DAMES FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance December ist, 1907, ^73
Receipts:
Cincinnati Street Railway Co. Dividends, ^la 00
Credit Balance November 30th, 1908, ^14 73
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance December ist, 1907, ^aoo 00
Credit Balance November 30th, 1908, ^200 00
(No change during jrear) =
124
279 47
#247 04
^,545 00
1,462 so
#8.007 50
#1,400 00
62 50
#1,462 50
#1,462 50
Digitized by V3OOQ IC
(Exhibit "7 ••)
BINDING FUND
INCOME ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance Dec. ist, 1907, $69 64
Receipts :
Cincinnati St. Ry. Co. Diyidends, I30 00
Interest on Deposits, 95
30 95
Credit Balance Nov. 30th, 1908, |ioo 59
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT.
Credit Balance Dec. 1st, 1907, I710 14
Credit Balance Nov. 30th, 1908, I710 14
(No change during year. )
125
Digitized by VjOOQIC
REPORT OF AUDITOR
CiNaNNATi, December 7TH, 1908.
To the President and Members of the Historical and Philosophical
Society of Ohio^ Cincinnati,
In accordance with instructions, examination has been made of the
books of accoimt of The Historical and Philosophical SoaEXY of
Ohio for the year ended November 3othy 1908, and we submit as
part of this report the following Schedules : —
Schedule "A.** — Statement of Assets and liabilities at November 30th, 1908.
Schedule **B." — Statement of Receipts and Disbursements for year ended
November 30th, 1908.
These Schedules are supported by Exhibits showing in detail the
principal items contained therein.
Receipts and Disbursements have been examined and found cor-
rect and the Cash Balance as shown by the books at closing, Novem-
ber 30th, 1908, agrees with the balance on Deposit in Bank.
Securities as shown by Investment Account have been duly exam-
ined and found in accordance with account as shown by Exhibit i .
The statement of Assets and Liabilities, as shown, represents the
financial condition of the Society at date of closing, November 30th,
1908. Respectfully submitted,
Guy H. Kennedy,
Certified Public Accountant,
126
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
CORPORATE MEMBERS
Anderson, Davis C.
Anderson, William F.
Ault, L. A.
Baker, Mrs. Charles W.
Balke, Rodolph F.
Battelle, John G.
Brunswick, B. H.
Caldwell, Charles E.
Callahan, John R.
Carew, Joseph T.
Cist, Charles M.
Compton, William C.
Dabnej, Charles W.
Dandridge, Miss Mary E.
Davis, Mrs. Nathaniel Henchman
DeCamp, Walter A.
Emery, Mrs. Thomas J.
Foley, B. W.
Foster, Miss Anna H.
Foster, William Lytle
Forchheimer, Mrs. Frederick
Freiberg, Maurice J.
Gano, Mrs. John A.
Goepper, Edward
Greve, Charles Theodore
Hamlin, Miss L. Belle
Harrison, W. H.
Hinkle, Frederick W.
Hollister, Howard C.
Hohnes, D. H.
Holmes, John R.
Howe, Mrs. Andrew J.
Ingalls, M. E.
James, Davis L.
Kittredge, Edmund W.
Leaman, Mrs. Robert F.
Levy, Harry M.
Longworth, Mrs. Nicholas
Ludlow, William S.
McDonald, Alexander
MUler, Griffin T.
Pendleton, Elliott H.
Procter, William Cooper
Procter, Mrs. William Cooper
Pyle, E. C.
Ransohoff, Joseph
Schmidlapp, J. G.
Shillito, Stewart
Storer, Bellamy
Strobridge, Nelson W.
Sykes, Gerritt S.
Taft, Charles W.
Taylor, William W.
Vooriieis, Albert W.
Whitcomb, Merrick
Wiborg, Frank B.
Wilson, Obed J.
Wilson, Mrs. Obed J.
Winslow, Howard S.
Winslow, John F.
Worthington, Edward
Worthington, William
Wulsin, Lnden
127
Digitized by VjOOQIC
LIFE MEMBERS
Anderson, Mrs. Louise N.
Bliss, Eugene F.
Bullock, James W.
Chatfield, Albert H.
Chatfield, Mrs. Albert H.
Davis, Nathaniel Henchman
Fleischmann, Julius
Fletcher, Miss Clara B.
Hurd, E. O.
Jones, Frank J.
Jones, Mrs. Frank J.
Laws, Miss Annie
Livingood, Charles J.
Neave, Miss Alice
Neave, Miss Jane Caldwell
Procter, Harley T.
Storer, Mrs. Bellamy
Thomson, Peter G.
Vail, Henry H.
Walker, Mrs. Paul Francis
Wilby, Joseph
Woods, Harry F.
r
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS
Adams, Charles Francis
Cox, Isaac J.
Duro, Cesario
Foulke, William Dudley
Galbreath, Charles W.
Green, SamutI A..
Hayes, E. G.
Heath, William McK.
Hoyt, Albert H.
Thwaites, Reuben Gold
Tyson, Philip T.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Durrett, Reuben T.
Venable, WiUiam H.
Five members died during the year :
Miss Phoebe S. Baker, corporate member.
General Benjamin R. Cowen, corporate member.
Mr. Reuben H. Warder, corporate member.
Mr. William Henry Davis, life member.
Mr. Erasmus Gest, life member.
128
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
ed by
GooglQ
i
Digitized by
Google
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11