rents by mechanism; the principles of this were not only shown & fully explained to me, but to my very great satisfaction, exhibited in practice in private under the injunction of Secresy, until he saw the effect of an application he was about to Make to the Assembly of this State, for a reward.

.. Having obtained a Plan of this Town (Bath) and ascertained the situation of my lots therein. . . & Mr Rumsey being willing to undertake those Buildings [a dwellinghouse, kitchen, and stable], I have agreed with him to have them finished by the 10th of next July."- Washington's Diary.

September 7.-Having hired three Pack horses-to give my own greater relief—I sent my Baggage of this day about one O'clock, and ordered those who had charge of it, to proceed to one Headricks at 15 Miles Creek, distant ab' ten Miles, to night, and to the old Town next day. September 8.—Set out about 7 o'clock with the Doct" (Craik) his son William and my Nephew Bushrod Washington, who were to make the tour with us,-about ten I parted with them at 15 Miles Creek, & recrossed the Potomack (having passed it abt 3 Miles from the Springs before) to a tract of mine on the Virginia Side, which I find exceedingly Rich, & must be very valuable. . . . After having reviewed this Land I again crossed the River [to Maryland] & getting into the waggon Road pursued my journey to the old Town where I overtook my Company & baggage-lodged at Colo [Thomas] Cresaps—ab 35 Miles this day. September 9.-The day proving rainy we remained here [Old Town]. September 10.-Set off a little after 5 oclock altho' the morning was very unpromising,-finding from the Rains that had fallen, and description of the Roads, part of which between the old Town & this place (old Fort Cumberland) we had passed, that the progress of my Baggage would be tedeous, I resolved (it being necessary) to leave it to follow; and proceed on myself to Gilbert Simpson's. . . . Accordingly, leaving Doct Craik, his Son, and My Nephew with it, I set out with one Servant onlydined at Mr Gwins at the Fort [? Fork] of the Roads leaving [? leading] to Winchester and the old Town, distant from the latter abt 20 Miles & lodged at Tumbersons [Tumbelson] at the little Meadows [Somerset County, Pennsylvania] 15 Miles further. September 11.-Set out at half after 5 oclock from Tumbersons, & in about 1 Miles came to what is called the little crossing of the Yohiogany. . . . Breakfasted at one Mounts or Mountains, 11 Miles from Tumbersons; the Road being exceedingly bad, especially through what is called the Shades of death.-Bated at the great crossing [of the Youghiogheny River or Braddock's road, now Somerfield] which is a large Water, distant from Mounts 9 Miles, and a better Road than be

...

tween that and Tumbersons-Lodged at one Daughertys a Mile & half short of the Great Meadows. . . distant from the crossing 12 Miles."-Washington's Diary.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12.

At Fayette County, Pennsylvania: "September 12.-Left Daughertys about 6 oclock-stopped awhile at the Great Meadows and viewed a tenement I have there . . . is a very good stand for a Tavern. Dined at Mr Thomas Gists [Mount Braddock] at the Foot of Laurel, distant from the Meadows 12 Miles, and arrived at Gilbert Simpsons about 5 oclock 12 Miles further."-Washington's Diary.

The tenement at Great Meadows, in what is now Wharton Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and which Washington considered "a very good stand for a Tavern," was on a tract of land containing two hundred and thirty-four acres, acquired by him in 1767. It included the site of Fort Necessity, a stockade hastily constructed by Washington, when a colonel in the Virginia service, to resist the attack of a superior body of French and Indians under the command of M. Coulan de Villiers, and made memorable by its surrender to that officer on July 3, 1754. The entire tract was sold by the executors of the last will and testament of Washington to Andrew Parks, of Baltimore. In the notes to the schedule attached to the will this property is referred to as follows: "This land is valuable on account of its local situation and other properties.-It affords an exceeding good stand on Braddock's Road from Fort Cumberland to Pittsburgh and besides a fertile soil possesses a large quantity of natural meadow fit for the scythe. -It is distinguished by the appellation of the Great Meadows, where the first action with the French in the year 1754 was fought."

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13.

At Fayette County, Pennsylvania: "September 13.-—I visited my Mill, and the several tenements on this Tract (on which Simpson lives)-I do not find the land in general equal to my expectations of it."- Washington's Diary.

The tract referred to, "on which Simpson lives," comprised about sixteen hundred acres, and was situate at and near the present town of Perryopolis, Perry Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. It was located for Washington by Captain William Crawford in 1769, and was visited by him in 1770. Gilbert Simpson, who had superintended the erection of a mill on

the premises, which, however, was not finished until the spring of 1776, seems also to have been a copartner in the management of the estate. The property was sold in 1795 to Colonel Israel Shreve, of New Jersey, under articles of agreement, and in 1802 the executors of the last will and testament of Washington conveyed it to the heirs of Colonel Shreve, who had died in 1799.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14.

At Fayette County, Pennsylvania: "September 14.-Remained at Mr Gilbert Simpsons all day,-before Noon Col W Butler and the officer Commanding the Garrison at Fort Pitt a Capt" Lucket came here-as they confirmed the reports of the discontented temper of the Indians and the Mischiefs done by some parties of them-and the former advised me not to prosecute my intended trip to the Great Kanahawa, I resolved to decline it."- Washington's Diary.

"September 15.-This being the day appointed for the Sale of my moiety of the Co-partnership Stock-many People were gathered (more out of curiosity I believe than from other motives) but no great Sale made.-My Mill I could obtain no bid for. September 16.-Continued at Simpsons all day in order to finish the business which was begun yesterday--Gave leases to some of my Tents on the Land whereon I now am. September 17.-Detained here by a settled Rain the whole day-which gave me time to close my Accts with Gilbert Simpson, & put a final end to my Partnership with him."-Washington's Diary.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18.

At Washington County, Pennsylvania: "September 18.— Set out with Doct' Craik for my Land on Millers Run (a branch of Shurtees [Chartiers] Creek-crossed the Monongahela at Deboirs [Devore's] Ferry-16 miles from Simpsons-bated at one Hamiltons about 4 Miles from it, in Washington County and lodged at a Col' Cassons [Canon] on the Waters of Shurtees Creek-a kind, hospitable Man; & sensible."- Washington's Diary.

"September 19.-Being Sunday, and the People living on my land apparently very religious, it was thought best to postpone going among them till to-morrow."-- Washington's Diary.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20.

At Washington County, Pennsylvania: "September 20.Went early this Morning to view my Land & to receive the final determination of those who live upon it."— Washington's Diary.

The land on Miller's Run, in what is now Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, was held by Washington under a military patent from Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia. It comprised two thousand eight hundred and thirteen acres, and was described as "being in Augusta County, Vir. on the waters of Miller's Run, one of the branches of Chartiers Creek, a branch of the Ohio." A number of families (ScotchIrish) had settled on this land, and Washington passed most of Monday, September 20, in endeavoring to arrange with them for the purchase of the whole tract. No agreement, however, could be made, and subsequently ejectment suits were brought, which were successful. The tract was sold in June, 1796, for twelve thousand dollars.

Washington passed the night of the 20th at the house of Colonel John Canon, the site of the present Canonsburg, laid out in 1787.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21.

Leaves Washington County: "September 21.-Accompanied by Col Casson & Capt Swearingin [sheriff of the county] who attended me to Debores ferry on the Monongahela which seperates the Counties of Fayette & Washington, I returned to Gilbert Simpson's in the afternoon; after dining at one Wickermans [Wickerham's] Mill near the Monongahela."-Washington's Diary.

"September 22.-After giving instructions to Major Thomas Freeman respecting his conduct in my business, and disposing of my Baggage which was left under the care of M' Gilbert Simpson . . . I set out for Beason [Beeson] Town [now Uniontown, the county-seat of Fayette County] in order to meet with & engage Mr Tho' Smith to bring Ejectments & to prosecute my Suit for the Land in Washington County. . . . Reached Beason Town about dusk (about the way I came) 18 Miles . . my Baggage under the care of DoctTM Craik and Son, having, from Simpsons, taken the Rout by the New (or Turkey foot) Road as it is called (which is said to be 20 Miles near than Braddocks). . . . My Nephew and I set out about Noon [on the 23d], with one Colo Philips for Cheat River."- Washington's Diary.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23.

At Fayette County, Pennsylvania: "September 23.—Arrived at Col Philips abt five oclock in the afternoon 16 Miles from Beason Town & near the Mouth of Cheat River. . .

"September 24.-Set of in the Morning of the 24th (accompanied by Col° Philips) and crossed it [Cheat River] at the Mouth, as it was thought the River was too much swelled to attempt the ford a little higher up."-Washington's Diary.

Washington passed the night of the 24th at the house of Captain Samuel Hanway, about three miles south of Cheat River, in Monongalia County, Virginia, now West Virginia. Captain Hanway was the surveyor of Monongalia County. On the 25th he resumed his journey, setting out before sunrise and lodging that night in the rain, with no shelter or cover other than his cloak. On the 26th he reached a Mr. Logston's, and left a little after daybreak on the following day, crossing the Stony River after a ride of four miles, gaining at ten miles "the summit of the Alligany Mountain," and arriving at "Colo AbrahTM Hites at Fort pleasant on the South Branch [of the Potomac] about 35 miles from Logstons a little before the Suns setting," where he remained all of the next day, the 28th.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29.

Leaves Fort Pleasant, Virginia: "September 29.-Having appointed to join Doct' Craik and my Baggage at Col Warner Washingtons, but finding it required only one day more to take the Rout of Mr Tho' Lewis's (near Stanton) . . . I sent my Nephew Bushrod Washington to that place to request the Doct' to proceed & accompanied by Capt" Hite son to the Colonel I set out for Rockingham, in which county Mr Lewis now lives since the division of Augusta.” Washington's Diary.

The night of the 29th was passed on the North Fork of the Shenandoah, at the house of one "Fishwaters in Brocks gap, about Eight Miles from the foot of the Mountain-12 from Rudibort's [where he had dined] & 36 from Colon' Hites," arriving at Mr. Lewis's on the 30th "about Sundown, after riding about 40 Miles―leaving Rockingham Ct House to the right about 2 Miles." Washington remained at Mr. Lewis's until October 2, setting off very early on that day, accompanied by Mr. Lewis, "to the foot of the bleu