catfish, eels and many other kinds of fish. This lake empties itself into what is called Three Rivers, joining the waters of the Oneida Lake, and then proceeds by Oswego into Ontario. On each side the Cayuga Lake is a ferry house and good attendance given. Twelve miles west of the Cayuga I struck the Canada Saga lake-no inhabitant upon this roadthis lake is the handsomest piece of water I ever beheld; its length and breadth nearly that of Cayuga, into which it empties. Upon a pretty slope, on the new part of the lake, stands a town, called Geneva; it has a fine effect from the opposite shore, but disappoints you when you arrive at it. It consists of about twenty log houses, three or four frame buildings, and as many idle persons as can live in them. Eighteen miles lower, on the same side of this lake stands the Friends' Settlement, founded by Jemima Wilkinson; there are eighty families in it, each has a fine farm, and are quiet, moral, industrious people. There is a road from the Friends' Settlement nearly completed, across the country to Genesee river, forty-five miles. I went from Geneva to Canadaqua, sixteen miles, crossing the outlet of Canadaqua lake, just as I entered the town. This is a settlement made by Mr Phelps, and promises to be a very flourishing one; there are now about thirty houses situated on a pleasant slope from the lake, and the adjacent farms are very thriving. The Indians are settled on all the reservations made by this state, and are to be met with at every settlement of whites, in quest of rum! From Canandaqua I travelled about twenty six miles through a fine country, with many settlements forming; this brought me to Genesee river. On this river a great many farms are laying out; sixtyfive miles from its mouth is a town marked out by the name of Williamsburgh, and will in all probability be a place of much trade; in the present situation of things it is remote, when considered in a commercial point of view; but should the fort of Oswego be given up, and the lock navigation be completed, there will not be a carrying place between New-York and Williamsburgh. The present carrying places are as follow, viz. Albany to Schenectada, sixteen miles-the Little Falls, on the Mohawk river, two miles-from the head of the Mohawk to Wood creek, one mile-Oswego Falls, two miles-Genesee falls, two miles. Thus you see there is only twenty-three miles to cut and lock, in order to carry commerce by water, through an extent of country, capable of maintaining several millions of people. The famous Genesee flats lie on the borders of Genesee river; they are about twenty miles in length, and about four miles wide; the Soil is remarkably rich, quite clear of trees, and producing grass near ten feet high. I estimate these flats to be well worth 200,0001. as they now lie. They are mostly the property of the Indians. Taking a view of this country altogether, I do not know such an extent of ground so good. Cultivation is easy, and the land is grateful. The progress of settlement is so rapid, that you and myself may very probably see the day when we can apply these lines to the Genesee country "Here happy millions their own lands possess, No tyrant awes them, nor no lords oppress." Many times did I break out in an enthusiastic frenzy, anticipating the probable situation of this wilderness twenty years hence. All that reason can ask, may be obtained by the industrious hand, the only danger to be feared is, that luxuries will flow too cheap. After I had reached the Genesee river, curiosity led me on to Niagara, ninety miles-not one house or white man the whole way. The only direction I had was an Indian path, which sometimes was doubtful. The first day I rode fifty miles, through swarms of musquetoes, gnats, & beyond all description. At eight o'clock in the evening I reached an Indian town, called Tonnoraunto-it contains many hundreds of the Savages, who live in very tolerable houses, which they make of timber and cover with bark. By signs I made them understand me, and for a little money they cut me limbs and bushes sufficient to erect a booth, under which I slept very quietly, on the grass. The next day I pursued my journey, nine miles of which lay through a very deep swamp; with some difficulty I got through, and about sun-down arrived at the fort of Niagara : Here the centinel inquired from whence we came; upon his being told, he called the sergeant of the day, who escorted us to the captain of the guard, he asked our names, (a Mr. of , was with me) and said he supposed we came upon our private business & he sent us to the commandant who entered our names, and offered us a pass to go over to the British side, which we accepted. Quite fatigued we were happy to find a tavern, and something to eat; a few hours sleep brought me again to myself. This fort is now garrisoned by the 5th regiment, commanded formerly by Earl Piercey, and had the honour of dancing yankee doodle on the plains of Cambridge, 19th April 1775. The commander of the fort is a Col. Smith. The day after our arrival we crossed the river Erie to the town of Niagara where probably the British fort will be built, when the present one is given up. We met Col. B.1 This is the man who did so much execution in the late war with the Indians, upon the Mohawk river, Schohary and Cherry Valley. We found him holding a council with a body of chiefs who were at Philadelphia in April last, informing him what they had done there. A Mr Johnson, some relation of the famous Sir John Johnson, interpreter to the Indians was also present; and I have no doubt remaining but they effaced every favourable impression made on their minds by presents from Congress. I see enough to convince me of the absurdity of our endeavours to hold the Savages by presents, while the British are situated at Detroit, Niagara, &c. They have all their clothing, cooking utensils, ammunition, &c served almost as regularly as the troops in garrison; if they want provisions, they get it free. Those tribes called the Six Nations we are at peace with, and take much pains to cultivate a good understanding, but we deceive ourselves. The old men, the women, and the children remain at home inactive, while all the young warriors join the fighting powers against us-this is all they could do, if we were at open war with them. An Indian becomes a miserable being when deprived of his hunting ground, and surrounded with cellars of rum or whiskey. The whole Six Nations live on grounds, called the State Reservations, and there are intermediate spaces settled on both sides by white people; this has a tendency to drive off the game and if by chance they kill a bear, or a deer, his skin goes at once for rum; in this way they are become poor enervate creatures. They cannot keep together a great while, and I expect they will quit all this part of the country, and retire over the lakes Ontario and Erie. Their whole number is about 6000, of which 1000 are warriors-how contemptible compared with their former greatness! The leading men of these Six Nations, or what they call Chiefs, were on the road with me going to Buffalo Creek, to hold a council; their object I was informed was to use their influence with the hostile tribes to make a peace. This will have no effect! Power is the influence with Indians; this alone will give us peace. I see some of the Indians who fought the battle at the Miami; and by an interpreter received a very tolerable account of the action; they were of opinion that our troops did not do their duty. Col. B. told me that the only way to make a peace with the Indians was to apply to Lord Dorchester, or the commander in chief at Quebeck, and let him appoint some of the Commanders of the garrisons, say Detroit, Niagara, &, to meet on the part of the British, to draw a line that shall be deemed right and reasonable between the Americans and Indians, and have the treaty guaranteed to the Indians by the British. I spurned at the idea, and told Col. Butler, that it was my wish, whenever America became so contemptible, that the whole country might be annihilated. I visited the great curiosity, the Falls, and must refer you to Mr. Elicott's account of them in the Columbian Magazine for June 1790. 1 qu. Col. Butler ? I cannot help being of opinion that Indians, (or what are called Redmen,) never were intended to live in a state of civil society. There never was, I believe, an instance of an Indian forsaking his habits and savage manners, any more than a bear his ferocity. The Rev. Mr. Kirkland, who acts as missionary among the Oneidas, has taken all the pains that man can take, but his whole flock are Indians still, and like the bear which you can muffle and lead out to dance to the sound of music, becomes again a bear when his muffler is removed and the music ceases. The Indians will attend public worship and sing extremely well, following Mr. Kirkland's notes; but whenever the service is over, they wrap themselves in their blankets, and either stand like cattle on the sunny side of a house, or lie before a fire. This is their mode of passing life: even the bold energy of their forefathers, which was conspicuous in the chace, is unstrung in their descendants, and instead of sliding to the grave "like a shock of corn in its full ear," they become ripe for it in youth and often find it by the most disgraceful means. THE GENESEE COUNTRY AN ACCOUNT OF THE SOIL, Growing Timber, and other productions of the lands in the countries situated in the back parts of the states of New-York and Pennsylvania, in North America; and particularly the lands in the county of ONTARIO, known by the name of THE GENESEE TRACT, lately located, and now in the progress of being settled. [Imlay's Topog. Descrip. of the Western Territory of N. America.] The lands generally known by the name of the Genesee tract, are situated in the back parts of the state of New-York and contain upwards of 2,000,000 of acres, mostly good arable land, forming nearly an oblong square of 80 miles in length from south to north, and 42 miles wide from east to west. These lands were granted to Messrs. Gorham and Phelps, the original purchasers from the state of Massachussets, in the year 1788. And this grant was afterwards confirmed by the six nations of Indians, who, on receiving a valuable consideration, alienated, the whole of this property, and soon after these nations removed themselves and families to a distant country. The south-east corner of this tract is in latitude 42°, longitude S2°; lying west from the river Delaware; and 77 miles west from Philadelphia. The actual distance of the eastern boundary, from the Hudson's river or Albany, is about 140 miles. From Philadelphia, by the nearest road, the distance may be about 180 miles; and not more than 200 miles north of the proposed new city of Columbia, the intended seat of government of the United States. But the peculiar advantages which distinguish these lands over most of the new settled countries of America, are these following: 1. The uncommon excellence and fertility of the soil. 2. The superior quality of the timber, and the advantages of easy cultivation, in consequence of being generally free from underwood. 3. The abundance of grass for cattle in the woods, and on the extensive meadow grounds upon the lakes and rivers. 4 The vast quantities of the sugar maple-tree, in every part of the tract. 5. The great variety of other fine timber, such as oak, hiccory, black walnut, chesnut, ash of different kinds, elm, butternut basswood, poplar, pines, and also, thorn trees of a prodigious size. 6. The variety of fruit-trees, and also smaller fruits, such as apple and peach orchards, Q |