previously had obtained permission to remain the summer inland, with no other view than of employing that time in discovery. The cause of my not consulting the company was, the ill-usage I had received on my return from my former expedition.

Upon my arrival, as well as that of all the canoes at Arabasca, I left Mr. R. McKenzie in charge of the principal post, and went to winter, at the last of our settlements, in the Peace river, or Unjegah, lat. 56° 9′ north, long. 117° 43' west, from Greenwich.

In the spring, after I sent off all the property from Arabasca, I, on the 9th May, 1793, took my departure in a north canoe, accompanied by A. McKay, six Canadians, and two young Indians, up the Peace river, against a very strong current. In our route, we were rather unfortunate in not meeting with inhabitants till we had nearly got to the mountains, and come near the source of the river, and then we saw but three men with their families. They were well-furnished with spears, daggers, bar-iron, &c. I prevailed with one of those men to come and guide us to the height of land, which he did; wishing to bring him further, he deserted from us.

The height of land is only seven hundred paces across-pass two small lakes and two small carrying-places; from these, we continued our route down a small river, much embarrassed with wood, rocks, &c.; we broke our canoe, lost all our balls; we at last got into a large river, and this, in half a day's time, led us into a more considerable body of water. It was not before the third day from hence we met with natives, who were not very amicable at our first appearance; however, peace being established, they gave us an account of the country, and informed us they got what European articles they had from the West, by land, and that they did not know where this river emptied into the sea. I got some of them to conduct me to the next tribe; here I was convinced that the distance by the river, which is very rapid, was great, and that I could not be able to perform it in the course of the season, had I been better provided than I was; therefore I returned up the river, according to the Indians'

directions, to take the route by which they procure their goods. Here I left my canoe, and the greatest part of what we had in her, latitude, 53° north; longitude, 122° 43' west-travelled fifteen days to get to the sea-coast. There being many islands, I borrowed a canoe from the natives, went about twenty leagues out amongst the islands, where I found the latitude to be 52° 23', longitude, 128° 15', the 22d July, 1793. I returned by the way I went, and was back at our settlement the 24th August.

I am, Sir, yours,

ALEXANDER MCKENZIE.

SIR:

ST. CLAIR TO HAMILTON.

PITTSBURGH, November 14th, 1794.

The post which has been established at Lebeuf, by the State of Pennsylvania, seems to be at present a place of some importance, and is in a critical situation. The time for which the garrison is engaged is on the point of expiring; but the Governor has power by a late law to continue them, and I suppose will continue them. The present commanding officer is a prudent man, and a good officer. He, however, as I am informed, will not remain, and the command will devolve upon a person of the name of Miller, from Washington county, who is strongly in the interest of the insurgents; and a part of the garrison, from that county also, have been exceedingly disorderly, and disposed to mutiny. Pardon me for taking the liberty to suggest, that it might be well if a party of the standing troops were sent there, for there is a considerable quantity of military stores of every kind, and some pieces of artillery, deposited in that place. The concurrence of Governor Mifflin will no doubt be necessary, and that, I suppose, would not be withheld.

With every sentiment of respect and regard, I have the honor to be, Sir, your very humble servant,

A. ST. CLAIR.

CARRINGTON TO HAMILTON.

MY DEAR SIR:

RICHMOND, December 12th, 1794.

I have been favored with yours of the 1st instant. All accounts from the scene of the late insurrection, agree that the measures which have been pursued have been as successful in their issue, as they were wise in their commencement. I have also the satisfaction of finding that our returned troops pretty generally agree that a less force than was called forth would have been opposed, and that a small army could have effected nothing but the establishment of a civil war. This operates as strong evidence against our good democrats, who had been loud against the Executive for interrupting the quiet of our citizens, and incurring an unjust expense. The propriety of a force being left in the country is also supported by the same authority, to the no small disconcertment of those immaculate guardians of our liberties, who were charging upon the President an avidity in seizing an opportunity for an advance to the establishment of a standing army. In truth, our militia have come home better citizens than they went out, inasmuch as they have seen this fallacious spirit of liberty, stripped of its hypocrisy, and exhibited in its own garb. I have no doubt that their returning amongst their neighbors, thus undeceived, will be productive of good consequences. Our Virginians were, before this excursion, much better citizens than certain circumstances had led those of other

States to suppose them; and the ready obedience paid to the late call, must have in some degree counteracted the opinions entertained concerning them. You will recollect that after the insurgency broke out, and before the call was put to the test, I ventured to communicate to you a temper as belonging to our people, different from the contraband politics of our representatives. I predicted the alacrity with which the people would turn out to support their government and its laws, and endeavored to account for the real existence of such a contradiction in the conduct of the people when called on to act for themselves, and

when acting, or said to be acting, by their representatives.

The

event has verified the prediction, nor can I attempt to solve the enigma otherwise than I then did. We have vicious and virtuous men of abilities; the vicious are bold in their charges upon government and its administration; the virtuous are criminally backward. The people naturally give their suffrages to those who discover the greatest solicitude to obtain them, and who show the greatest confidence in their claims to be trusted. In truth, my dear Sir, I have fallen out with both; for he from whom an active injury is received, is little less a friend than he that stands by and quietly sees the injury done.

Your observations upon the deplorable increase of a disorganizing spirit, in the quarter from whence it has before been felt in Congress, are, I apprehend, too well founded; nor have you a consolation in the event of our late election here to fill the Senatorial seats. There is, indeed, something extremely unaccountable in all this-it would seem that the events of last summer and fall were calculated to have changed even the sentiments of former actors on the stage of our political farce; much. more might a change of conduct have been expected from a conviction that their constituents had received impressions no longer to tolerate their opinions. Speak with the people of Virginia, in parties, or individually, and far the greater number appear to disapprove of the violent measures espoused by their representatives in both houses, last session; yet, all their elections, in whatever form made, turn on men most distinguished for their violence and enmity to the government and its administration. All this I feel and lament exceedingly. I, however, have a consolation, which I do not think a mistaken one, that the people of Virginia will always revolt against the wickedness or follies of their leaders whenever they are brought near enough to the precipice to see plainly their danger.

You do not feel more sensibly than I do the critical situation in which we stand; nor, are you more thoroughly convinced that the southern politics have a tendency, a limited one I hope, to a severment which cannot be taken into prospect by any man who feels the pride of a free American, but with chagrin and

humility; the transition would be nothing less than from the exalted station of the freest, happiest and wisest people the sun ever shone upon, to that of the most vile, the most wretched and the most foolish that ever stamped the human character. Being an united people, we dictate our own laws, and say to all the rest of the world what shall be their conduct towards us-divide us, and we instantly become little puppets to be played off upon each other, as shall be convenient to foreign nations, and even foreign individuals. It would seem that the success of Genet's projects should have stamped this lesson deeply on the mind of every American, who was not involved in his vices.

I most heartily re-echo your opinion, that good men should come forward and set their faces against the ills which await us, and trust it will ere long be the case in Virginia. Let our eastern brethren, whose good sense and solid republicanism I daily more and more admire, continue their zeal in supporting the true interests of the commonwealth. They will prevail-an enthusiastic folly cannot be of long duration.

On the subject of your resignation you appear to have taken your final determination. I wish your successor may be as successful in the effects of his measures, and that he may be as fortunate in repelling the attacks of faction. The papers have announced a precaution which I should certainly have taken the liberty to recommend to you. Your notification to the House of Representatives is a necessary caveat against future slander, for had you remained till the last day of the session, and then resigned without such a precaution, a retreat from inquiry would have been charged upon you.

I anticipate, with pleasure, your appearance in the character of a representative, and beg you to be assured you will retain in any station you may occupy, the public confidence and private friendship of,

My dear Sir,

Your affectionate fellow-citizen,

ED. CARRINGTON.