Part III.] Journal.^ 271 



the two Wabashes, and is about ten n\iles from the 

 nearest navigable water ; we arrived there about sun- 

 set, and met with a welcome which amply repaid us 

 for our day's toil. We found that gentleman with his 

 two sons perfectly healthy and in high spirits : his 

 daughters were at'Henderson (a town in Kentucky, on 

 the Ohio) on a visit. At present his habitation is a 

 cabin, the building of which cost only 20 dollars ; this 

 little hutch is near the spot where he is about to build 

 his house, which he intends to have in the most eligible 

 situation in the prairie for convenience to fuel and for 

 shelter in winter, as well as for breezes in .summer, 

 and will, when that is completed, make one of its ap- 

 purtenances. I like this plan of keeping the old log- 

 house ; it reminds the grand children and their chidren's 

 children of what their ancestor has done for their 

 sake. 



508. Few settlers had as yet joined Mr. Birkbcck ; 

 that is to say, settlers Ukely to become " society ;" he 

 has labourers enough near him, either in his own houses 

 or on land of their own joining his estate. He was in 

 daily expectation of his friends Mr. Flower's family, 

 however, with a large party besides ; they had just 

 landed at Shawnee Town, about 20 miles distant, 

 Mr, Birkbeck imforms me he has made entry of a large 

 tract of land, lying, part of it, all the way from his 

 residence to the great AVabash ; this he will re-sell again 

 in lots to any of his Iriends, they taking as much of it 

 and wherever they choose (provided it be no more than 

 they can cultivate), at an advance which 1 think very 

 fair and liberal. 



509. The whole of his operations had been directed 

 hitherto (and wisely in my opinion) to building, fencing, 

 and other important preparations. He had done no- 

 thing in the cultivating way but make a good garden, 

 which supplies him with the only things that he cannot 

 purchase, and, at present, perhaps, with more economy 

 than he could grow them. He is within twenty miles 

 of Harmony, in Indiana, where he gets his flour and 

 all other necessaries (the produce of the country) and 

 therefore employs himself much better in making barns 

 and houses and mills for the reception and disposal of 



