A grand treaty is intended to be held at Muskingum on the Ohio, with the Indians, at this time; but I hear some of them have, for the first time, fitted out a large boat, high on the sides, pierced for musketry, and musket-proof, by which they have taken several boats, and scalped several people. I meant to have gone, being not more desirous of seeing that grand country, than of giving my most esteemed friend a particular account of it. The treaty itself would have been a grand object; as would also the natural history of the country, and the romantic views, as they are finished by the dashing pencil of nature. Salvator Rosa might have gained, even by a jaunt like this. Indeed, he would have been more in his element than I, amongst robbers. But my companions are too much persuaded of the danger to go, and I cannot undertake it myself. From the disturbances the Indians have lately been guilty of, it is supposed the treaty now will not be general, and the commissioners have little to buy their good faith with; therefore it is imagined these lords of the soil will, like other nations, give no friendship where there is no interest.

I wonder the European powers do not at once blast the Algerines; it is astonishing that they plunder all the world with impunity.

I find the company, of which Mr. Rumsay is principal, has procured a letter of introduction to thee from our good and worthy friend, Dr. Rush*.

* See LETTER CCXLV.

He pretends (Rumsay I mean) to be the inventor of the steam-boat. I have, however, inclosed thee a couple of pamphlets, proving he got it from Mr. Fitch, of Philadelphia. These pamphlets were published before I had any thing to do in the affair, and on becoming acquainted with it fully, I purchased four shares, or one tenth, of Mr. Fitch's discovery. The boat is to be tried this evening or to-morrow, and I will endeavour to give thee an account of it. Ours is moved with paddles, placed at the stern, and worked by a small steamengine. We have exclusive patents for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and New York, in which are included the principal rivers. The Potowna will be navigable, it is expected, in a few months. General Washington is the great promoter of the canal, which communicates betwixt the bottom and top of the falls. I think there are two hundred shares, and each ₤100 sterling. The revenue to be by a toll on all shipping and craft passing and repassing for ever. That river will accommodate the country behind for seven hundred miles, and it is a very rich soil.

Some thousands emigrate, in the course of three or four months, down the Ohio, and settle on its borders, during each summer. Many go to the banks of the Mississippi, and the lands, which are remarkably fertile there, are rising fast in value; however, the country is so large, that it can, in many places, be had for six-pence or a shilling per acre, in large tracts, well watered, and secured

by good titles. Some of it has been known to produce one hundred bushels of corn per acre.

I have sent four flying squirrels and four ground squirrels. The flying squirrels are a family, male and female, with two young ones; the young are very easily tamed; the ladies here have them running all over them, and carry them in their pockets or bosoms, with a small collar of leather round their necks, and a little chain. They do not bite, but soon grow familiar. The old ones and ground squirrels are more difficult, but may, by constantly handling them in gloves, be tamed. You may keep the old, male and female, of the flying, and one of each sort of the ground, to breed.

I meant to have sent to thee and Cousin Pickering, some of the summer ducks, which are very nice eating, and the male reckoned one of the most beautiful birds in plumage in America.

I have a short piece, nearly ready for the press, on distillation, which I shall send thee when it appears; but I am much engaged in the steamboat, and find it an object that requires much study to effect. I invented, some time ago, a steam-cannon, with which, by one charge of water, I fired thirty balls with great force and no noise. Twenty-four balls in two minutes, &c. Dr. Franklin told me to lay the discovery before the Philosophical Society, which I may some time hence think of doing; but it is not a subject that I should be tempted to lay before the meeting. Yours, &c.

W. T.

LETTER CCLXXV.

From the same.

Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1788.

My Dear Friend,

I must now mention the subject which has so often been repeated in my letters to thee that I am afraid of affecting thy patience. I mean that interesting subject which respects the liberty of so many thousands. I remain yet ignorant of the fate of the Blacks who went to settle in Africa. I wish, whatever has been their situation, I had been in London at the time of their embarkation, and the Committee would have granted me the same powers as my deceased friend Smeathman. I believe nothing on earth would have given me such satisfaction. Before now, my poor slaves who are broiling in the West Indies, had been happy and free men; nor do I think I should have been a loser, for the lands in Africa are the richest in the world. The loss of all my friends for a few years would to me have been no consideration ; for what relations or friends have I here? and yet I am very happy, considering that I am not in Africa. I think I should not find it a difficult matter to reconcile the present inhabitants to the new comers, or settlers. The only hints I have

heard of their reception were flying reports, that I thought might have been framed by some designing or interested trader, of their having disagreed with the inhabitants, that their numbers were much diminished by diseases; and that they were obliged to resort to a small island, as well on account of their health, as to prevent their total extirpation by the enraged and jealous natives. Were these accounts true, I am so far from being deterred by fear, or diverted by idle tales from my object, that I am daily more and more anxious, and if I cannot be forwarded, I must return early in the spring to the West Indies, where I shall practise physic, and be more exposed than in Africa to the inclemencies of climate; and where, by every method of honest trading, joined to my possession, and the sale of my lands, I can gain a sufficiency to fit out a transport or two for Africa-I mean to do it. But my life and time will be spent in effecting what, with a little assistance, might be brought to perfection in a few years. In one case I might taste of happiness in this life before my relish for life ceases; in the other, winter would come before I had finished my summer's work. By the regard and friendship which thou hast often kindly expressed for me; by the unbounded confidence I have placed in thee, in opening my whole heart; by thy love of humanity, I conjure thee to be my friend in this instance. Thou art one of the Committee of African Affairs; thy voice, for thy heart is known, will be heard; and whatever thy tongue