THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Gordon's Journal
(May 8 - Dec. 6, 1766)
In: P. H. S., Hutchins Papers and
in Alvord & Carter, British
Series, Vol. II,
pp. 290-311.
The 19th we arrived at the Mingo Town which by our Reckoning is 71 Miles below Fort Pitt. The Country between broken with very high Ridges- the Valleys narrow, and the Course of the River plunged from many high Grounds which compose its Banks.- At This Village Indian Bussiness detained Us a Day but Altho the Rains abated the 19th in the Morning, the River rose for several Days; and run so rapid as to carry us with moderate rowing from 6 to 7 Miles Hour.- The 23rd we came to the Mouth of the Muskingum before Noon, observed and found the Lat: to be 39o 19'. The Muskingum is a large River 250 Yards wide at its confluence with the Ohio, it is said to be navigable 150 Miles upwards for Battoes, & runs thro a pleasant Country as that near its Junction appeared to be.- Many small Creeks and Streams run into the Main River, a Mark of the Lands near it being plentifully watered; our Indians killed several Buffaloe between the Mingo Town and the Muskingum, we first met with a herd of this Kind of Animal about 100 Miles below Fort Pitt, but they are not so common untill we pass the Sioto. At This Place we arrived the 29th June 366 Miles below Fort Pitt the Navigation we found uninterrupted to our largest Battoes, The Flood indeed was with us, but at any Time there will be no Obstacle from the Mingo Town which is 71 Miles from Fort Pitt, nor much from the Big Beaver Creek. The River Ohio from 50 M. above Muskingum to Sioto is (page 292) most beautifull, a number of Islands are to be seen of different Sizes but all covered with the tallest of Timber; The long Reaches, among which is one of 16 Miles and a 1/2, inclosed with the finest Trees of different Kinds, of various Verdures & Leaves of the largest Sorts, afford a noble and enchanting Prospect.- The Stillness of the Current & a calm Sunshine put a smooth Face on the Water, from which was reflected the most beautifull Objects of simple Nature, that I ever beheld.- The glorious Vista was terminated by two small sugar Loaf Hills, of an easy Ascent, from which can be discovered all this magnificent Variety.1 - The Rivers Hockhoking & Canawha fall into the Ohio in this Space, besides others of a smaller Size. Up the big Canawha the northern Indians penetrate into the Cherokee Nations.- It is a large fine stream by Report navigable 100 Miles towards the Southward. The Country is every where pleasant, in the Bends of the Rivers Course, are large level Spots of the richest Land; and on the whole is remarkably healthy, by the Accounts of Traders who have been some Time with the Indians hunting in those Parts.- One Remark of this Nature may serve for the whole Tract of the Globe, comprehended between the western Skirts of the Allegheny Mountains, beginning at the Post of Ligonier, thence bearing S. Westerly to the Distance of 500 Miles opposite the Ohio Falls, then crossing them Northerly to the Heads of the Rivers that empty into the Ohio.- thence East along the Ridge that seperated the Lakes and Ohio Streams, to French Creek, which is opposite the Post of Ligonier northerly.- This may be from proper Knowledge affirmed, that it is the healthiest, (as no sort of chronicle Disorder ever prevails on it) most pleasant, and most commodious, Sport of the Earth known to European People (supposing a State of Nature).
We remained near the Sioto untill the 8th July observed and found the Lat 38o 09' [?].2 The greatest Part of the Shawnese Nation were assembled here at the Desire of Mr Croghan. This Nation is composed of a few, but choice Men.- Their Influence over the Ouabache Indians is great, which joined to their Situation and other Circumstance, make them an Object worthy our Attention.3 - Matters being settled with them, (altho' with Difficulty) we pursued our Route the (page 293) 8th July.- The 16th we encamped opposite the great Lick & next Day I went with a Party of Indians and Battoemen to view this much talk'd of Place.- The beaten Roads from all Quarters to it easily conducted us, they resemble those to an inland Village where Cattle go to & fro a large common.- The Pasturage near it seems of the finest Kind, mix'd with Grass & Herbage, and well watered.- On our Arrival at the Lick, which is 5 Miles distance S. of the River, we discovered laying ab many large Bones, some of which the exact Patterns of Elephants Tusks, and others of different Parts of a large Animal.- The extent of the mudy Part of the Lick is 3/4 of an acre; This mud being of a Salt Quality is greedily lick'd by Buffaloe Elk & Deer who come from distant Parts, in great numbers, for this Purpose. we pick'd up several of the Bones some out of the Mud, others off the firm Ground, & returned; proceeded next Day & arrived at the Falls 19th July.
We left the Falls the 23d and encampt the 31st on a large Island opposite the Mouth of the Wabash which
we make 317 1/2 Miles below the Falls. from the Falls to about half this
Distance the Country is very hilly, the Course of the River very winding and
narrow, and but very few Spots of level Land on the sides of the River. The
Hills are mostly Stoney and Steep, but from the great4 Herds of Buffaloe we observed on the Beaches of the
Islands & River, into which they come for Air and Coolness in the Midle of
the Day, it may be imagined good Pasturage is not very distant.- 837 Miles
below (page 295) Fort Pitt,
we leave the ridgy Ground behind, the Country grows flat, & the River whose
Bed widens is often divided by Islands.- The Navigation is good from the Falls-
but where the low Country begins Attention must be had to keep the principall
Chanel, which is in general to the Right coming down.- The Wabash is markt by a
large Island round which Boats may go most Times of the Year. The End of the
Fork of the two Rivers is narrow and overflowed, 1 1/2 Miles upwards it is
higher Ground. The Party of Indians we had two Days sent before to view the Country
joined us, and reported they could only discover Tracts of some small hunting
or War Parties, but none of any Number together.- The Herds of Buffaloe are
hereabouts extraordinary large and frequent to be seen.-
_______________________
1 The Durrett copy omits all from "The Stillness" to "magnificent Variety."
2 The Durrett copy has 30o 22'.
3 The Durrett copy omits all from "This Nation" to "our Attention."
4 (2, p. 294) Durrett company has "general."
Return
to TOC, p. 19
Continue
to next part of Miami Collection
[return to Miami
Collection Menu]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology List of Publications]
[return to Glenn A. Black
Laboratory of Archaeology Home]
Last updated: 05
February 2001
URL: http://www.gbl.indiana.edu/home.html
Comments: webmaster@www.gbl.indiana.edu
Copyright 1996, Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology and The Trustees of Indiana University