PREFACE. 



The history of this work, which has been on the au- 

 thor's hands, more than twenty years, since it was origin- 

 ally projected, demands a few remarks. That it has cost 

 me no small portion of an extended life, is true, but, 

 whether my friends will affix to it, a value commensurate 

 with what of labor, care, diligence, time and money, which 

 it has cost me, I do not know. Its plan is my own, and 

 was long since made known to the public, who appeared 

 to approve of it, twenty years since. Two portions of 

 the original history have been already published, relating 

 to our " ancient works," and to the " Indians" who once 

 inhabited the territory now indcluded within the state of 

 Ohio. 



The Natural History has been greatly abridged from 

 my original manuscripts, with the hope of rendering that 

 part of my work, acceptable to common readers. My 

 Geological survey cost me much time and money, unaid- 

 ed by any government patronage. Whether I shall pro- 

 ceed to fill up my original plan, and continue the work, 

 in a second volume, must be, as it is, left for my friends 

 to determine, whose decision I will obey, and by which, 

 I will abide. 



Truth has been my polar star in writing this, my last 

 volume. Method and perspicuity, have not been forgot- 

 ten by me. 



Two subjects, that is, a history of the legal and medical 

 professions, are omitted, in this volume. Charles Ham- 

 mond, Esquire, is the person to write the history of our 

 laws, our lawyers and our judges; and to publish it, in 



