lxxiv 
LIFE OF 
Mr Gillman is a gentleman of taste and wealth, and has no doubts 
of succeeding. Something is necessary to give animation to this 
place, for, since the numerous building of ships has been abandoned 
here, the place seems on the decline. 
“ The current of the Muskingum is very rapid, and the ferry 
boat is navigated across in the following manner : — A strong cable 
is extended from bank to bank, forty or fifty feet above the surface 
of the river, and fastened tight at each end. On this cable are 
two loose running blocks ; one rope, from the bow of the boat, is 
fastened to the first of these blocks, and another from the after 
part of the boat to the second block, and by lengthening this last, 
a diagonal direction is given to the boat’s head, a little up the 
stream, and the current striking forcibly and obliquely on her aft, 
she is hurried forward with amazing velocity, without any manual 
labour whatever. I passed Blannerhasset’s island after night, but 
the people were burning brush, and by the light I had a distinct 
view of the mansion-house, which is but a plain frame of no great 
dimensions. It is now the property of a Mr Miller from Lexington, 
who intends laying it chiefly in hemp. It is nearly three miles 
long, and contains about three hundred acres, half of which is in 
cultivation ; but, like all the rest of the numerous islands of the 
Ohio, is subject to inundations. At Galliopolis, which stands upon 
a high plain, and contains forty or fifty scattered houses, I found 
the fields well fenced and well cultivated, peach and apple orchards 
numerous, and a considerable appearance of industry. One half 
of the original French settlers have removed to a tract of land 
opposite to the mouth of Sandy River. This town has one shop 
and two taverns : the mountains press into within a short distance 
of the town. I found here another Indian mound planted with 
peach trees. 
« On Monday, March 5, about ten miles below the mouth of the 
Great Sciota, where I saw the first flock of Paroquets, I encountered 
a violent storm of wind and rain, which changed to hail and snow, 
blowing down trees and limbs in all directions, so that, for imme- 
diate preservation, I was obliged to steer out into the river, which 
rolled and foamed like a sea, and filled my boat nearly half full of 
water ; and it was with the greatest difficulty I could make the 
least head way. It continued to snow violently until dusk, when 
