USA > Ohio > Pioneer history : being an account of the first examinations of the Ohio valley, and the early settlement of the Northwest territory ; chiefly from original manuscripts > Part 40
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" The pike is the king of fish in the western rivers. Judge Gilbert Devoll took a pike in the Muskingum, which weighed nearly one hundred pounds, on the 2d of July, 1788. He was a tall man, but when the fish was sus- pended on the pole of the spear, from his shoulder, its tail
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dragged on the ground, so that it was about six feet in length. This enormous fish was served up on the 4th of July, at a public dinner. It was taken in the following manner :
" The Ohio Company's boat, the May Flower, was lying in the mouth of the Muskingum, and was used as a kind of store boat, and especially for dressing fish. A large pike was seen to come daily and feed on the offal, which was thrown over. He was rather shy at first, but soon became more familiar with the people on board. Preparing them- selves with a light canoe, and proper fish spears, Judge Devoll and his son started the fish up the Muskingum, pur- suing him by the wake made in the water, for nearly a mile, intending to tire him out. Seeing him to flag a little in the chase, they run above, and turned him down stream, plying all their strength to the paddle and pole, they followed him so rapidly that his strength was exhausted, and coming along side pierced him with their spears, and dragged him into the canoe.
" The most of the fish weretaken on the trot line; a half barrel or more being often caught in a night. The Indians had a mode of taking large pike, which is still practiced by fishermen on the Ohio. A fish, weighing a pound or more, was fastened to a strong hook and line, by forcing it through the length of the body to near the tail. This was thrown out thirty or forty yards into the river, near the mouth of a creek, where pike lie in wait watching for prey, and then drawn rapidly into shore, so as to make the bait jump along on the surface, imitating a fish pursued by another. The pike, if in sight, instantly seized upon the fish, and was sure to be hooked." (Judge Barker's MSS. notes.)
To the early settlers on the borders of the Ohio and Mus- kingum, the fish of these waters furnished no small part of their animal food, especially in the spring and autumn. In the former period they were taken on hooks, but in Septem- ber and October, when the water was low and clear, they
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NIGHT FISHING.
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were taken by torch light with the fish spear, or gig. A large torch of pine splinters was set up in the bow of the canoe to attract the attention of the fish, and give light to the sportsmen. A man in the stern guided the canoe, with a paddle, giving it a gentle motion, as the spearman direct- ed. A skillful man would often load a canoe in a few hours. The fish seem to be amazed at the flame of the torch, and seldom try to escape, while by daylight they fly from their pursuers.
FOR the following valuable documents, contained in the appendix, the author is indebted to the Hon. Wilkins Updike, of Kingston, Rhode Island, who, a number of years since, when the pamphlets of General Varnum's oration, and the address of Governor St. Clair, were out of print, and only a solitary copy or two could be found in the land, took the precaution of preserving in manuscript these valu- able memorials of early events at Marietta. From this he kindly furnished a transcript, in the spring of 1846, which is now copied in these printed sheets.
Since then a printed copy has been found among the papers of Griffin Greene, Esq., deceased, and is probably the only one in the State of Ohio. It is now in the library of the Cincinnati Historical Society.
APPENDIX.
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AN ORATION, DELIVERED AT MARIETTA, JULY 4, 1788, BY THE HON. JAMES M. VARNUM, ESQ., ONE OF THE JUDGES OF THE WESTERN TERRITORY; THE SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY, ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, ESQ., UPON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE COMMISSION APPOINTING HIM GOVERNOR OF SAID TERRITORY, AND THE PROCEED- INGS OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF MARIETTA.
NEWPORT, R. I. PRINTED BY PETER EDES: 1788.
CELEBRATION OF JULY 4, 1788.
The fourth of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, was celebrated, for the first time, at the city of Marietta, in the territory of the United States, northwest of the river Ohio. The day was announced by a federal salute at Fort Harmer, erected on the opposite bank of the Muskingum. The flag of the United States was hoisted in the forts, and the bastions and curtains decorated with standards.
At half past twelve, General Harmer, with the ladies, officers, and other gentlemen of the garrison, arrived at the city, upon the point formed by the confluence of the two rivers, where were assembled the gentlemen of the Ohio company, and the other people who composed the settlement.
In consequence of previous arrangements, at the particular request of the gentlemen concerned, an oration was delivered by the Hon. JAMES MITCHELL VARNUM, Esq., one of the Judges of said territory. The following is an exact copy :
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THE ORATION.
This anniversary, my friends, is sacred to the independence of the United States. Every heart must exult, every citizen must feel himself exalted upon the happy occasion.
The memorable Fourth of July will ever be celebrated with gratitude to the Supreme Being, for that revolution which cansed tyranny and oppression to feed upon their own disappointment, and which crowned the exertions of patriotism with the noblest rewards of virtue.
How execrable the system which grasped at the possession of our dearest rights, and how happy the sons of freedom in being rescued from the vilest servitude.
Recollection, thou faithful monitor of past barbarities, retire behind the curtain of oblivion, nor continue to open our wounds afresh. May the piercing groans of a dying father-the melting tears of a tender mother-the carnage of heroic brothers-the torturing shrieks of virgin innocence, and the agonizing pangs of sanctified connections, no more embrace the hallowed shrines of vengeance, nor interrupt the joys of men and angels !
If the praises of all the citizens of the United States have ascended, in annual commemorations, to the most perfect altar, meeting the approbation of Heaven, how elevated should our feelings be who celebrate, not only the common advan- tages of independence, but who, for the first time, recognize our own particular felicity in being placed upon this happy spot !
The fertility of the soil-the temperature and salubrity of the air-beauti- fully diversified prospects-innumerable streams, through a variety of channels communicating with the ocean, and the opening prospect of a prodigious trade and commerce, are among the advantages which welcome the admiring stranger.
"Sweet is the breath of early morn, her rising sweet With charm of earliest birds; pleasant the sun, When first, on this delightful land, he spreads His orient beams on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, Glist'ning with dew; fertile the fragant earth, After mild showers, and sweet the coming on Of grateful evening mild; the silent nights, With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon, And these the gems of heaven, her starry train."
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APPENDIX.
Unfortunately for the United States, their progress to victory and indepen- dence was so rapid, as not to admit of a correspondent change in the nature of their governments.
The high station which, after a conflict of eight years, ranked them among the nations of the earth, created objects of the first magnitude. Prejudices too deeply imbibed, and riveted by the force of pre-existing opinion, and local habits, the offspring of unequal advances in civil society, were to be conquered and removed; the mechanic arts and liberal sciences to be promoted; trade and commerce to be directed in their proper objects, through channels entirely con- trariant to colonial systems; new sources of revenue were to be opened, in the management whereof, experience as well as power were wanting; the variety of connections arising from their relative situations, laid the foundation for an almost entire change in criminal jurisprudence; the acquisition of immense tracts of territory, not within the limits of any particular state, and the boundless claims of some of the states or counties, not their own, were attended with innumerable difficulties, and threatened the most serious conse- quences. In short, the articles of confederation, founded upon the union of the states, were so totally defective in the executive powers of government, that a change in the fundamental principles became absolutely necessary, and but for those friendships which have formed and preserved an union sacred to honor, patriotism, and virtue, and, but for that superior wisdom which formed the new plan of a federal government, now rapid in its progress to adoption, the confederation itself, before this day, would have been dissolved ! Then, indeed, might we have " hung our harps upon the willows, for we could not have sung in a strange land." Then we might have lamented, but could not have avoided the horrors of a civil war. Promiscuous carnage would have deluged the country in blood, until some daring chief, more fortunate than his adversary, would have riveted the chains of perpetual bondage !
But now anticipating the approaching greatness of this country, nourished and protected under the auspices of a nation, forming and to be cemented by the strongest and the best of ties; the active, the generous, the brave, the oppressed defenders of their country will here find a safe, an honorable asylum, and may recline upon the pleasure of their own reflections.
Every class of citizens will be equally protected by the laws; and the labor of the industrious will find the reward of peace, plenty, and virtuous contentment.
Until the new constitution shall so far have operated as to require the possession of Niagara and Detroit, we may possibly meet with some disturbances from the natives; but it is our duty, as well as interest, to conduct toward them with humanity and kindness. We must, at the same time, be upon our guard, and by no means suffer the progress of our settlement to be checked by too great a degree of confidence.
Were the paths of life entirely strewed with flowers, we should become too much attached to this world, to wish ever to exchange it for a more exalted condition. Difficulties we must expect to encounter in our infant state; but most of the distresses common to new countries we shall never experience, if we make use of the means in our power to promote our own happiness.
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APPENDIX.
Many of our associates are distinguished for wealth, education, and virtue, and others, for the most part, are reputable, industrious, well informed planters, farmers, tradesmen, and mechanics.
We have made provision, among our first institutions, for scholastic and liberal education; and, conscious that our being as well as prosperity depend upon the Supreme will, we have not neglected the great principles and insti- tutions of religion.
The United States have granted to us, in common with the whole territory, a most excellent constitution for a temporary government; they have provided for its regular administration, and placed at its head a gentleman of the first character, both for the many amiable virtues of his private life, and for the eminent talents, and unshaken fidelity with which he has sustained the most important appointment. We mutually lament that the absence of his excel- lency will not permit us, upon this joyous occasion, to make those grateful assurances of sincere attachments, which bind us to him by the noblest motives that can animate an enlightened people. May he soon arrive. Thou gentle flowing Ohio, whose surface, as conscious of thy unequaled majesty, reflecteth no images but the grandeur of the impending heaven, bear him, oh, bear him safely to this anxious spot ! And thou beautifully transparent Muskingum, swell at the moment of his approach, and reflect no objects but of pleasure and delight !
We are happy, my fair auditors, in expressing our admiring attachments to those elevated sentiments which inspired you with the heroic resolution of attempting the rude passage of nature's seeming barrier, to explore, in the rugged conditions of the field, the paradise of America. Gentle zephyrs, and fanning breezes, wafting through the air ambrosial odors, receive you here Hope no longer flutters upon the wings of uncertainty. Your present satis- faction, increasing by the fairest prospects, will terminate in the completion of all your wishes.
Amiable in yourselves, amiable in your tender connections, you will soon add to the felicity of others, who, emulous of following your bright example, and having formed their manners upon the elegance of simplicity, and the refine- ments of virtue, will be happy in living with you in the bosom of friendship.
To the secretary of war, whose exalted talents and long experience have enabled him to form the most perfect arrangements, we are greatly indebted for the aid of a corps high in the splendor of military discipline. We have received from the commanding general, and from all his officers, every mark of hospitality, friendship, and politeness. Our acknowledgments, therefore, are the more unreserved, as they flow from the most unequivocal feelings. Our friends -our country's friends-we embrace you as a band of brothers, connected by the most sacred ties! In the name of all who have fought, who have bled, who have died in the cause of freedom ! In the name of all surviving patriots and heroes ! In the name of a Washington ! we declare that, in the honorable character of soldiers, you revere the sacred rights of citizens ! Live then in this happy assemblage of superior minds! Whenever you may be called to the field of Mars, may you be crowned with unfading laurels ! We
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know you fear not death - but, living or dying, may you receive the plaudits of grateful millions !
Mankind, my friends, have deviated from the rectitude of their original formation; they have been sullied and dishonored by the control of ungov- ernable passions; " but rejoice, ye shining worlds on high," mankind are now upon the ascending scale; they are regaining, in rapid progression, their station in the rank of beings. Reason and philosophy are gradually resuming their empire in the human mind; and when these shall have become the sole directing motives, the restraints of law will cease to degrade us with humiliating distinctions, and the assaults of passion will be subdued by the gentler sway of virtuous affection.
Religion and government commenced in those parts of the globe where yonder glorious luminary first arose in effulgent majesty. They have followed after him in his brilliant course - nor will they cease until they shall have accom- plished, in this western world, the consummation of all things.
Religion inspires us with the certain hope of eternal beatitude, and that it shall begin upon the earth, by an unreserved destitution to the common center of existence. With what rapture and ecstacy, therefore, may we look forward to that all important period when the universal classes of mankind shall be satisfied ! when this new Jerusalem shall form an august temple, unfolding its celestial gates to every corner of the globe - when millions shall fly to it " as doves to their windows," elevating their hopes upon the broad spreading wings of millennial happiness ! then shall the dark shades of evil be erased from the moral picture, and the universal system appear in all its splendor ! Time itself, the area and the grave of imperfection, shall be ingulfed in the bosom of eternity, and one blaze of glory pervade the universe.
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General VARNUM died at Marietta, January 10th, 1789, of consumption, six months after these events
APPENDIX.
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ORDER OF THE CELEBRATION, JULY 4, 1788, AT MARIETTA. (SEE PAGE 214.)
At two o'clock the ladies and gentlemen were conducted to a spacious bower, where they partook of an entertainment, prepared for the occasion. After dinner the following toasts were drank :
1. The United States.
2. The Congress.
3. His most Christian Majesty.
4. The United Netherlands.
5. The Friendly Powers throughout the world.
6. The new Federal Constitution.
7. His Excellency General Washington, and the Society of Cincinnati.
8. His Excellency Governor St. Clair, and the Western Territory .*
9. The memory of those who have nobly fallen in defense of American freedom.
10. Patriots, and Heroes.
11. Captain Pipe, chief of the Delawares, and a happy treaty with the natives.
12. Agriculture and Commerce, Arts and Sciences.
13. The amiable partners of our delicate pleasures.
14. The glorious Fourth of July.
The greatest order, propriety, and harmony prevailed through the day, which was closed by a beautiful illumination of Fort Harmer.
Upon the 15th day of July his excellency, the Governor, accompanied by Major Doughty of the artillery, arrived in the twelve-oared barge, completely manned. He was received at the garrison by General Harmer, with military honors, and every kind of polite attention, due to a character so eminently dis- tinguished. The officers and men under the general's command appeared, if possible, more brilliant than usual. The anxious expectations of all the citizens were greatly satisfied, and an universal joy enlivened every countenance.
Upon the 18th following, in consequence of previous notice, his excel- lency, attended by the judges Parsons and Varnum, and Mr. Secretary Sargent, made his public entry at the bower, in the city of Marietta, where he was received by General Putnam, and all the citizens, with the most sincere and unreserved congratulation.
* A Federal salute at the garrison.
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APPENDIX.
His excellency was seated, and after a short interval of profound silence, arose and addressed himself to the assembly in a concise but dignified speech.
He was pleased to inform them that his happiness was extreme in meeting them upon so important an occasion; that he brought with him a most excel- lent constitution for the government of the whole territory, and to which he claimed their attention.
The ordinance of Congress of the 13th of July, A. D., 1787, for the govern- ment of the territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, was read by the secretary. The commission of his excellency, the commission of the judges present, and the commission of the secretary were also read, and the whole proclaimed; when his excellency again arose, and made the following address :
ST. CLAIR'S ADDRESS.
From the ordinance for the establishment of civil government in this quar- ter, that hath been just now read, you have a proof, gentlemen, of the attention of Congress to the welfare of the citizens of the United States, how remote soever their situation may be.
A good government, well administered, is the first of blessings to a people. Every thing desirable in life is thereby secured to them; and from the opera- tion of wholesome and equal laws, the passions of men are restrained within due bounds; their actions receive a proper direction; the virtues are cultivated , and the beautiful fabric of civilized life is reared and brought to perfection.
The executive part of the administration of this government hath ¿been in- trusted to me, and I am truly sensible of the importance of the trust, and how much depends upon the due execution of it. To you, gentlemen, over whom it is to be immediately exercised; to your posterity; perhaps to the whole community of America. Would to God I were more equal to the discharge of it ! but my best endeavors shall not be wanting to fulfill the desire and the expectation of Congress, that you may find yourselves happy under it; which is the surest way for me, at once to meet their approbation, and to render it honorable to myself. Nor when I reflect upon the characters of the men under whose immediate influence and example this particular settlement, which will probably give a tone to all that may succeed it, will be formed, have I much reason to fear a disappointment. Men who duly weigh the importance to so- ciety of a strict attention to the duties of religion and morality; in whose bosom the love of liberty and of order is a master passion; who respect the rights of mankind, and have sacrificed much to support them, and who are no strangers to the decencies and to the elegancies of polished life.
I esteem it also a singular happiness to you, and to me, that the gentlemen appointed to the judicial department are of such distinguished characters, and so well known to you. On the one side the respect which is due to their sta- tion is secured, while it will be yielded with the most perfect good will on the other. The authority of the magistrates will be so mixed with and tempered by the benignity of their dispositions, that you have reason to expect muc satisfaction from it.
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APPENDIX.
You will observe, gentlemen, that the system which hath been formed for this country, and is now to take effect, is temporary only; suited to your infant situation, and to continue no longer than that state of infancy shall last. During that period the judges, with my assistance, are to select from the code of the mother states, such laws as may be thought proper for you. This is a very important part of our duty, and will be attended to with the greatest care. But Congress hath not intrusted this great business wholly to our freedom or discretion. And here again you have a fresh proof of their paternal attention. We are bound to report to them all laws that shall be introduced. They have reserved to themselves the power of annulling them, so that if any law, not proper in itself, or not suited to your circumstances, should be imposed, it will be immediatety repealed; but with all the care and attention to your interest and happiness that can be taken, you have many difficulties to struggle with. The subduing a new country, notwithstanding its natural advantages is, alone, an arduous task; a task, however, that patience and perseverance will surmount. And these virtues, so necessary in every situation, but peculiarly so in yours, you must resolve to exercise.
Neither is the reducing a country from a state of nature to a state of culti- vation so irksome, as from a slight or superficial view may appear. Even very sensible pleasures attend it. The gradual progress of improvement fills the mind with delectable ideas. Vast forests converted into arable fields, and cities rising in places which were lately the habitations of wild beasts, give a plea- sure something like that attendant on creation; if we can form an idea of it. The imagination is ravished, and a taste communicated of the joy of God to see "a happy world."
The advantages, however, are not merely imaginary. Situated as you are, in the most temperate climate; favored with the most fertile soil; surrounded by the noblest and most beautiful rivers; every portion of labor will meet its due reward. But you have upon your frontier numbers of savages, and too often, hostile nations. Against them it is necessary that you should be guarded. And the measures that may be thought proper for that end, though they may a little interrupt your usual pursuits, I am certain, will be cheerfully submitted to. One mode, however, I will venture at this time to recommend, which as it is in every point of view, the easiest and most eligible, so, I am persuaded, it will be attended with much success. Endeavor to cultivate a good under- standing with the natives, without much familiarity. Treat them upon all occasions with kindness, and the strictest regard to justice. Run not into their customs and habits, which is but too frequent with those who settle near them; but endeavor to induce them to adopt yours. Prevent by every means that dreadful reproach, perhaps too justly brought by them against all the white people they have yet been acquainted with, that professing the most holy and benevolent religion, they are uninfluenced by its dictates, and regardless of its precepts. Such a conduct will produce on their part the utmost confidence. They will soon become sensible of the superior advantages of a state of civil- ization. They will gradually lose their present manners, and a way may be
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APPENDIX.
opened for introducing amongst them the Gospel of Peace, and you be the happy instruments in the hand of Providence in bringing forward that time which will surely arrive, " when all the nations of the earth shall become the kingdom of Jesus Christ."
The present situation of the territory calls for attention, in various places; and will necessarily induce a frequent absence, both of the judges and myself, from this delightful spot; but at all times and places, as it is my indispensable duty, so it is very much my desire, to do every thing within the compass of my power, for the peace, good order, and perfect establishment of the settlement; and as I look for not only a cheerful acquiescence in and submission to neces- sary measures, but a cordial co-operation, so I flatter myself my well meant endeavors will be accepted in the spirit in which they are rendered, and thus our satisfaction will be mutual and complete.
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