ALEXANDER WILSON. 
Ixxv 
seldom found here. Every man you meet with has either 
some land to buy or sell, some lawsuit, some coarse 
hemp or corn to dispose of, and, if the conversation do not 
lead to any of these, he will force it. Strangers here 
receive less civilities than in any place 1 have ever been 
in. The respect due to the fatigues and privations of 
travellers is nowhere given, because every one has met 
with as much, and thinks he has seen more than any other. 
No one listens to the adventures of another without 
interrupting the narrative with his own ; so that, instead 
of an auditor, he becomes a competitor in adventure- 
telling. So many adventurers, also, continually wandering 
about here, injure the manners of the people ; for avarice 
and knavery prey most freely and safely upon passengers 
whom they may never meet again. 
“ These few observations are written in Salter White’s 
garret, with little or no fire, wood being a scarce article 
here, the forest being a full half mile distant. 
“ April 9. — Court held to-day, large concourse of 
people ; not less than one thousand horses in town, 
hitched to the side posts ; no food for them all day. 
Horses selling by auction. Negro woman sold same way. 
My reflections while standing by and hearing her cried : 
4 Three hundred and twenty-five dollars for this woman 
and boy ! going ! going ! ’ W oman and boy afterwards 
weep. Damned, damned slavery ! this is one infernal 
custom which the Virginians have brought into this 
country. Rude and barbarous appearance of the crowd. 
Hopkins’s double cutters much wanted here. 
“ April 10 Was introduced to several young ladies 
this afternoon, whose agreeable society formed a most 
welcome contrast to that of the lower ciders of the other 
sex. Mrs — , an amiable, excellent lady ; think that 
savage ignorance, rudeness, and boorisliness, was never so 
contrasted by female sweetness, affability, and intelligence. 
“ April 12. — Went this evening to drink tea with 
