St. Clair and Wayne 365 



beautiful garden, and the good looks of Mrs. Har- 

 mar. Sometimes the leading citizens gave a dinner 

 to "His Excellency," as Dr. Cutler was careful to 

 styleH:he Governor, and to "General Harmar and his 

 Lady." On such occasions the visitors were rowed 

 from the fort to the town in a twelve-oared barge 

 with an awning; the drilled crew rowed well, while 

 a sergeant stood in the stern to steer. On each oar 

 blade was painted the word "Congress" ; all the regu 

 lar army men were devout believers in the Union. 

 The dinners were handsomely served, with punch 1 

 and wine; and at one Dr. Cutler records that fifty- 

 five gentlemen sat down, together with three ladies. 

 The fort itself was a square, with block-houses, cur 

 tains, barracks, and artillery. 



After three weeks' stay the Doctor started back, 

 up stream, in the boat of a well-to-do Creole trader 

 from the Illinois. This trader was no less a per 

 son than Francis Vigo, who had welcomed Clarlc 

 when he took Kaskaskia, and who at that time ren 

 dered signal service to the Americans, advancing 

 them peltries and goods. To the discredit of the 

 nation be it said, he was never repaid what he had 

 advanced. When Cutler joined him he was making 

 his way up the Ohio in a big keel-boat, propelled by 

 ten oars and a square sail. The Doctor found his 

 quarters pleasant; for there was an awning and a 

 cabin, and Vigo was well equipped with comforts 

 and even luxuries. In his traveling-chest he car 

 ried his silver-handled knives and forks, and flasks 

 of spirits. The beds were luxurious for the fron- 



