Open Road — Guides — Railroads — Canals — Bridges 



swamp; with some difficulty I got through, and about sun-down 1792 

 arrived at the fort of Niagara : Here the centinel inquired from ngra 

 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, &c. — 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, 1 775. 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 [utler] . 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 the 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 on 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 



1181 



