USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 33
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the ariny, engaged under Gen. Jackson in the defence of New Orleans. She made one voy- age to the Gulf of Mexico as a cartel, one to the rapids of Red River with troops, and nine voya- ges to Natchez. Set out for Pittsburgh on the 6th of May, and arrived at Shippingport on the 13th, being 25 days out, and proceeded thence to Pittsburgh, being the first steamboat that ev- er ascended the whole length of the Mississip- pi and Ohio rivers. A public dinner was giv- en at Louisville to Captain Shreve, for effecting a passage in that space of time, so wonderful and important was it considered. The man who at that dinner would have predicted that, there were those present who would live to see steamboats perform that trip in five days, twen- ty days less than Shreve's effort, would have been pronounced insane, or at any rate a mere visionary, yet less than a lapse of thirty years has served to accomplish it. She made one more trip down, her Captain being D. Worley ; when she was lost in Rock Harbor at Shippingport.
The "ETNA," of 360 tons. was the next one built, owned by the same company as the Vesu- vius, length, 153 feet, breadth 28 feet, with 9 feet depth of hold. She left for New Orleans under the command of Captain A. Gale, and made trips successively to Natchez and Louis- ville. There being some want of confidence in steam power to ascend the Mississippi with a cargo, above Natchez, she was employed in the summer of 1815, towing ships from the mouths or passes of the Mississippi to New Or- Jeans, the barges then getting freight in prefer- ence at eight cts. per lb. from New Orleana to Louisville. In the fall of 1815, the Mississip- pi being very low, the owners of the Etna made another attempt to ascend the river, and put in about 200 tons, for which they charged four and a half cts. per. Ib. for heavy, and six cts. for light goods. She had very few passengers above Natchez. The dependence was on drift wood, and occasionally lying by two and three days, where settlements were made, waiting while wood was being cut and hauled, broke a wrought iron water wheel shaft, near the mouth of the Ohio, and laid by at Henderson, Kentucky, fif- teen days trying to weld it, and had at last to end the passage with one wheel to Shippingport in sixty days. At Louisville she had two shafts cast. Her next trip down with three hundred tons at one ct. per lb. and a few passengers. was made in seven days. The succeeding trip up, under many of the same difficulties, was made in thirty days, breaking the other wronght iron shaft by driftwood in ascending the Ohio.
The sixth, in order of time, was the DESPATCH, Capt. J. Gregg; built at Brownsville on French's patent, and owned by the same company with the Enterprise. She made several voyages from
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Pittsburgh to Louisville and back , and one from the falls to New Orleans and back to Shipping- port when she gave out in 1818.
The next were the BUFFALO, 300 tons. and JAMES MONROE, 90 tons, built at Pittsburgh by B. HI. Latrobe, for a company at New York .-- He failed to finish them for want of funds. They were sold by the Sheriff and fell into the hands of Ithamar Whiting who finished them with en- gines-both dull sailers.
The WASHINGTON was the ninth, and the first at Wheeling, Virginia, where she was built un- der the superintendence of Captain H.M. Shreve who was owner in parı. The engine was made at Brownsville. This was the first boat with boil- ers on deck. The Washington crossed the falls in September, 1816, went to New Orleans, and returning winered at Louisville. In March 18- 17, she left Shippingport for New Orleans, and made her trip up and down in forty-five days, including detention at New Orleans. This was the trip which was considered to settle the prac- ticability of steamboat navigation in the West.
There are some incidents connected with steamboat navigation on the Western waters worthy of notice. Captain SHREVE referred to already as the Captain of the Enterprise, believ- ing the patent granted to Fulton and Liv- ingston, destructive to the interests of the west and unconstitutional in its character, took early measures to test its validity. The ENTERPRIZE reached New Orleans on the 14th December 18. 14, and was seized the next day for alleged vio. lation of that patent, and suit commenced a- gainst the owners by the New York Company, in an inferior Court, where a verdict was found for the defendants. The case was then remo- ved by writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Before the question came up before this tri- bunal, Shreve returned to New Orleans with the Washington, which was also seized by the company, to whom she was abandoned without opposition by Captain Shreve, who was owner in part. On application however to the Court, on behalf of the Washington and her owners, an order was obtained to hold the company to bail to answer the damages that might arise by the detention of the vessel. The agents of the company in this stage of the business, fearing the downfall of the monopoly which they sought to preserve, directly and through the medium of their att'y, proposed to admit him to an equal share with themselves in all the privileges of the pat- ent right, provided he would so arrange the bu- siness in Court as to allow a verdict to be found against him. Hlad Shreve possessed less firm- ness or principle than belonged to him, he might have yielded to this tempting bait and thrown back the steamboat operations in the West for
ten years before another individual of sufficient energy had appeared to contest the patent. It is hardly necessary to add that the Supreme Court finally set the patent aside .
For a share of these facts, I am indebted to Hal- deman's Louisville Directory for 1845.
Ingenious Locks.
I notice an extract in a late Enquirer from a New York paper, stating that an ingenious me- chanic of that city had invented a lock, which could not be opened even with its own key ex- cept by the owner, and had offered 500 dollars to any other person who could accomplish that feat.
This seems surprising, but I can atate some. thing of the kind more so. Messrs. Glenn & M'- Gregor of this city, have a combination and de- tector bank lock, of a construction equally sim- ple and ingenious, the tumbler of which may be so adjusted to its own key, that any person other than the owner making use of that key, would have only one chance in favor of opening it, to four hundred and seventy-nine millions one thousand six hundred chances against his doing so. This renders it next to impossible for any person but the owner to open it.
Exchange Papers.
There are certain rules of propriety which govern my conduct as regards other papers which I expect to govern that of others towards me.
I never send off refuse papers, torn or illegi- ble, to any on my exchange list.
When I copy an original article from my ex- change papers, I give due credit for it.
A paper which requires the straining of the eyes to read, I do not desire to receive; and look upon the sending it an imposition. Nor cat I afford the time or labor of gathering statistics for others to claim as their own.
If any of my exchanges find themselves drop- ped hereafter, they will comprehend the cause.
- 'Small thanks to you,' said a plaintiff to 0
one of his witnesses for what you have said in this case.' 'Ah,' snid the conscious witness, "but think of what I didn't say.'
MARRIAGES.
In this city, on Wednesday, January 22nd, by the Rev. James W. Prestley, Mr. JOHN L. HASTINGS to Miss CHAR - LOTTE TENDELL.
On the 23rd inst, by the Rev. John F. Wright, Mr. Jo. BEPH B. TAYLOR to Mrs. SOPHIA S. LIGGET.
On the 23d inst, by the Rev. W. Luhr, JOHN .V. SIz. BERN TO Miss ELIZABETH SIENKAMP.
On the 23rd inst, by the Rev. John A. Gurley, Mr. HEx- RY H. FOSDICK to Miss MARGARET K. GOLDSON.
DIED,
On Thursday, Jan. 23rd. BOANERGES, son of the Hon. James T. Moorhead, of Covington, Ky.
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General Washington.
"The following letter from Gen. Washington to W. W. Woodward, bookseller in Philadelphia and now belonging to Dr. C.Woodward.of Cincinnati, is probably his latest manuscript extant, be- ing written within twenty days of his death. As there are numbers who peruse the "Advertiser, who have never seen the autograph of that distinguished patriot and hero, I have added a fac simile of his signature, which those familiar with it will acknowledge to be well executed.
MOUNT VERNON, 24th Nov'r 1799.
SIR :- I have been favored with your letter of the 19th inst.
Being well acquainted with Dr. Witherspoon, whilst living, and knowing to his abilities, and shall with pleasure, as far as becoming a subscriber to his works may contribute, promote the success of their publication ;- and do authorise you accordingly, to add my name to the sub. scription paper which appears to be in existence.
I am, Sir, Your most humble servant,
Tronga Hashing Tono
Mathempton. e
MR. WM. W. WOODWARD.
Our Aborigines. PLAIN, WOOD Co., Aug. 25. 1840.
JOHN FRAZER, ESQ :
My Dear Sir -- I have lately been very sick-being taken the fore part of Ju- ly, with a painful dysentery ; it suddenly brought me down, so that I was not able to rise from my bed without help --- or to have my clothes on for ten days. I thought probably the appointed time to close my earthly existence was at the door ; but God's ways are not like our ways, nor his thoughts like our thoughts. He has yet something for me to do,- I hope for the advance- ment of the Redeemer's kingdom in this region. I am able to ride a few miles; but my recovery is slow ; yet for an old wornout man, I am doing as well as could be expected. I hope to be able to go to Perrysburgh the first week in Septem- ber next.
Be pleased sir, to accept a short historical ac- count of the Wyandot Indians. Having been a resident missionary with them for several years before the late war, and obtaincd the confidence of the Chiefs -- in a familiar conversation with them, and having a good interpreter, I reques- ted them to give me a history of their ancestors as far back as they could. They began with giving a particular account of the country for- merly owned by their ancestors. It was the North side of the river St. Lawrence, down to Bacon Lake, and from thence up the Utiwas .- Their name for it was Cunonetoltia. This name, I had heard applied to them, but knew not what it meant. The Senekas owned the opposite side of the river, and the island on which Morel now stands. They were both large tribe, con- sating of many thousands. They were blood
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relations, and I found at this time, they claim- ed each other as cousins.
A war originated between the two tribes in this way. A man of the Wyandot, wanted a cer- tain woman for his wife; but she objected, and said he was no warrior -- he had never taken any scalps, To accomplish his object, he raised a small party, and in their scout fell upon a par- ty of Seneka hunters, killed and scalped a num- ber of them. This precedure began a war be- tween the Nations, that lasted more than 100 years, they supposed more than a hundred win- ters before the French came to Quebec. They owned that they were the first instigators of the war, and were generally beaten in the con- test. Both tribes were greatly worsted by the war. They often made peace, but the first op- portunity the Senekas could get an advantage against them, they would destroy all they could, men, women and children. The Wyandots finding they werein danger of being extermina- ted, concluded to leave their country, and go for the West. With their horses, the whole na- tion made their escape to the upper lakes, and settled in the vicinity of Green Bay, in several villages -- but after a few years the Senekas made up a war party, and followed them to their new settlements, fell on one of their villages, killed a number and returned. Through this long period. they had no instruments of war, but bows and arrows, and the war club. Soon after this the French came to Quebec, and be- gan trading with the Indians, and supplying them with fire arms, and utensils of various kinds. The Senekas having got supplied with guns, and learned the use of them, made out a second war party against the Wyandots -- came upon them in the night, fired into their tente,
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scared them exceedingly -- they thought at first it was thunder and lightning. They did not succeed so well as they intended. After a few years they made out a third party, and fell upon one of the Wyandot villages, and took them nearly all. But it so happened at this time, the young men were all gone to war with the Fox tribe, living on the Mississippi. Those few that escaped the massacre of the Sénekas, agreed to give up, and go back with them, and become one people, but requested of the Senekas to have two days to collect what they had, and make ready their canoes, and join them on the morning of the third day, at a certain point, where they were to wait for them, and hold a great dance through the night. The Wyandots sent directly to the other two villages, which the Senekas had not disturbed, and got all their old men and women, and such as could fight, to consult on what measure to take. They came to the resolution to equip themselves in the best manner they could, and go down in perfect still- ness, so near the enomy as to hear them. They found them engaged in a dance, and feasting on two Wyandot men, they had killed, and roas- ted, as they said for their beef, and as they danced they would shout their victory, and told how good their Wyandot beef was. They con- tinued their dance until the latter part of the night, and being pretty well tired, they all lay down, and soon fell into a sound sleep. A little before day, the Wyandot party fell on them and cut them all off, not one was left to carry back the tidings. This ended the war for a great num- ber of years. Soon after this, the Wyandots got guns from the French traders, and began to grow formidable. The Indians who owned the country where they had resided for a long time proposed to them to go back to their own coun- try. They agreed to return, and having pre- pared themselves as a war party , they returned : came down to where Detroit now stands, and agreed to settle in two villages, one at the place above mentioned, and the other near where the British fort Malden, now stands.
his enemy on the water. They put out into the open lake; the Senekas came up; both par- ties took the best advantage they could, and fought with a determination to conquer or sink in the lakes. At last the Wyandots saw the last man fall in the Soneka party; but they had lost a great proportion of their own men, and were so wounded and cut to pieces, that they could take no advantage of the victory, but only to gain the shore as soon as possible, and leave the canoes of the enemy to float or sink among the waves. This ended the long war be- tween the two tribes, from that day to this.
Respectfully yours, &c. JOSEPH BADGER.
Interesting Narrative.
For the particulars of the following incidents I am obliged to Mr. Grimes, an elder in the Church of Lower Buffalo. I have hastily penned them, hoping that they might please and profit your readers. What churches now exert them- selves as much to sustain the gospel ?
Our story will carry the reader back a little more than fifty years. Then all north of the Ohio River wasan almost unbroken wilderness, the mysterious red man's home. On the other side a bold and hardy band from beyond the mountains, had built their log cabins and were trying to subdne the wilderness.
To them every hour was full of peril. The Indians would often cross the river, steal their children and horses and kill and scalp any victim who came in their way. They worked in the field with weapons at their side, and on the Sab- bath met in the grove or the rude log Church to hear the word of God with their rifles in their hands.
To preach to these settlers, Mr. Joseph Smith a Presbyterian minister had left his parental home east of the mountains- He it was said. was the second minister who had crossed the Monongahela river. He settled in Washington County, Penna., and became the pastor of the Cross Creek and Upper Buffalo congregations, di- viding his time between them. He found them a willing and united people, but still unable to pay him a salary which would support his fami- ly. He in common with all the early ministers, must cultivate a farm. He purchased one on credit, proposing to pay for it with the salary pledged him by his people.
Years passed away. The pastor was unpaid. Little or no money was in circulation. Wheat was abundant, but there was no market. It could not be sold for more than 12} cents cash. Even their salt had to be brought across the mountains on pack horses-was worth eight dol- lars per bushel, and twenty one bushels of wheat were often given for one of salt.
But previously to making any settlement, they sent out in canoes, the best war party they could make, to go down the Lake some distance, to see if there wasan enemy, any where on that side of the water. They went down to Long Point; landed, and sent three men across the point, to see if they would make any discovery ; The time came when the last payment must be made, and Mr. Smith was told he must pay or leave his farm. Three years salary was now due from his people. they found a party of Senekas bending their course round the point --- they returned with the intelligence to their party. The head Chief or- From the want of this his land, his improve- ments upon it and his hopes of remaining among a beloved people must be abandoned. The peo- ple were called together and the case laid before them. They were greatly moved. Counsel from on high was sought. Plan after plan was dered his men in each canoe to strike fire, and offer some of their tobacco to the Great Spirit, and prepare for action. The Chief had his son, a small boy, with him ; he carried the boy in the bottom of his canoe. He determined to fight | proposed and abandoned. The congregations
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were unable to pay a tithe of their debts and no | his salary for the year to come-to reward faths money could be borrowed.
In despair they adjourned to meet again the following week. In the meantime it was as- certained that a Mr. Moore who owned the only mill in the country, would grind for them wheat on moderate terms. At the next meeting it was resolved to carry their wheat to Mr. Moore's mill. Some gave fifty bushels, somo, morc .- This was carried from 15 to 26 miles on horses to the mill.
In a month, word came that the flour was ready to go to market. Again the people were called together. After an earnest prayer the question was asked, who will run the flour to New Or- leans? This was a startling question. The work was perilous in the extreme. Months must pass before the adventurer could hope to return, even though his journey should be fortunate. Nearly all the way was a wilderness. And gloomy tales had been told of the treacherous Indian. More than one boat's crew had gone on that journey and came back no more.
Who then would endure the toil and brave the danger. None volunteered. The young shrunk back, and the middle aged had their excuse. Their last scheme seemed likely to fail. At length a hoary headed man, an elder in the Church, sixty-four years of age arose, and to the astonishment of the assembly said, "Ilere am I, send me." The deepest feeling at once pervaded the whole assembly. To see their venerated old elder thus devote himself for their good, melted them all to tears. They gathered around old father Smiley to learn that his reso- lution was indeed taken; that rather than lose their ,pastor he would brave danger, toil, and even doath. After some delay and trouble, two young men were induced by hope of a large ro- ward to go as his assistants,
A day was appointed for starting, The young and old from far and near, from love to father Smiley and their deep interest in the object of his mission, gathered together and with their Min- ister came down from the church, fifteen miles away to the bank of the river to bid the old man farewell. Then a prayer was offered by their pastor. A parting hymn was sung. Then said the old Scotchman, "untie the cable and let us see what the Lord will do for us." This was done and the boat floated slowly away.
More than nine months passed and no word came back from father Smiley. Many a prayer had been breathed for him, but what had been his fate was unknown. Another Sabbath came. The people came together for worship, and there on his rude bench before the preacher sat father Smiley. After the services the people were re- quested to meet early in the week to hear the report. All came again. After thanks had been rendered to God for his,safe return, father Smi- ley arosw and told his story. ' That the Lord had prospered his mission. That he had sold his flour for 27 dollars per barrel and then got safe- ly back. He then drew a large purse and pour- ed upon the table a larger pile of gold than inost of the spectators had ever seen before. The young men were paid eneh a hundred dollars. Father Smiley was asked his charge. Hemeck- ly replied that he thought he ought to have as much as one of the young men, though he had not done quite as much work. It was immedi- ately proposed to pay him $300. This he refu- sed to receive till the pastor was paid. Upon counting their money there was found enough to pay what was due to Mr. S .-- to adyauce luml close to which are the remains of ancient Laodi:
er Smiley with $300 and then to leave a large dividend for each contributor. Thus their debts were paid, their pastor relieved, and while life lasted he broke for them the bread of life. The bones of both pastor and elder I believe, have long reposed in the same church- yard, but a grateful posterity still tell this pleasing story of the past.
J. W. MILLER.
Presbyterian Advocate.
The Seven Asiatic Churches.
A letter from the the Rev. H. Lindsay, Chap- lain to the English Embassy at Constantinople, gives the most recent intelligence respecting the seven Apocalyptic churches. The follow. ing extracts from this interesting despatch, will be perused, I am persuaded, with lively cmo- tions, by every christian reader.
From the conversations I had with the Greek Bishop and his clergy, as well as various well infermed individuals, I am led to suppose, that. if the population of Smyrna be estimated at 140,000 inhabitants, there are from 15 1020,000 Greeks, 6,000 Armenians, 5,000 Catholics, 140 Protestants, and 11,000 Jews.
After Smyrna the first place I visited was Ephesus, or rather (as the site is not quite the same) Aiasalick, which consists of about fifteen poor cottages. I found there but three chris- tians, two brothers who keep a small shop, and a gardener. They are all three Greeks, and their ignorance is lamentable indeed. In that place, which was blessed so long with an Apos- tle's labours, and those of his zealous assistants, are christians who have not so much as heard of that Apostle, or seem only to recognize the name of Paul as one in the calendar of their saints. One of them I found able to read a lit- tle, and left with him the New Testament in ancient and modern Greek , which he expressed a strong desire to read, and premised me he would not only study it himself, but lend it to his friends in the neighboring villages.
My next object was to see Laodicca. In the road to this, is Guzelhisar, a large town, with one church, and about 700 christians. In con- versing with the priests here, I found them so little acquainted with the Bible, or even the New Testament, in an entire form, that they had no distinct knowledge of the books it contained, boyond the four gospels, but mentioned them indiscriminately, with various idle legends and, lives of saints. I have sent thither three copies of the modern Greek testament since my return. About three miles from Laodicea is Denizli,. which has been styled, but I am inclined to think erroneously, the ancient Colosse; it is a considerable rown, with about 400 christians, Greeks and Armenians, each of whom has a church. I regret, however, to say, that here al- so the most extravagant tales of miracles, and fabulous accounts of angels, saints and relics. had so usurped the place of the scriptures, as to. render it very difficult to separate, in their minds" divine truths from human inventions. I felt. that here that unhappy time was come when meu should "turn away their ears from the truth, and bo turned unto fables." 1 bad with me some copies of the Gospels in ancient Greek, which I'distributed here, as in some other pla- ces through which I had passed. Eski-hisar
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cca, contains about fifty poor inhabitants, in which number are but two christians, who live together in a small milt: unhappily neither could read; the copy, therefore, of the New Testa- ment which I intended for this church, I left with that of Denizli, the offspring and poor re mains of Laodicea and Colosse. The prayers of the mosque are the only prayers which are heard near the ruins of Laodicea, on which the threat seems to have been fully executed, in its utter rejection as a church.
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