[10]. These geese, together with the Mexican hoccos presented by Mr. Duplantier; wild turkeys presented by Mr. Thousand, of Baltimore; Devonshire cows, given by Mr. Patterson; American partridges, presented by Mr. Skinner, etc. at present ornament the farm of La Grange, where General Lafayette exerts himself to multiply their numbers.
[11]. See upon this subject Mr. Warden’s very curious work, entitled Remarks upon the Antiquities of North America.
[No theory, formed from the examination of a few of these mounds, can, with any propriety, be resorted to for the purpose of explaining the intentions of the ancient tribes in their formation. That they were erected for various uses, is sufficiently evident from their difference of construction, some being evidently merely monumental, while others must have been designed for military, religious, or other services. No one has examined the square and circular erections at Circleville, in Ohio, (now rapidly disappearing before the industry of the brick-makers), or those found near Piqua, or elsewhere in that state, without feeling convinced that they were destined to different uses from the mounds which occur in their vicinity, and appear to have been erected by the same people. Dr. Clarke, and other travellers in the north of Asia, inform us, that mounds, in all respects similar to those of St. Louis, are very numerous in many places, and that they are unquestionably sepulchral is proved by the bones, urns, and ornaments found within them. These observations go far also to establish the belief of the common origin of the American aborigines and the nomadic tribes of the old continent. See Atwater’s very interesting Archæologia Americana.—T.]
[12]. The grizzly bear is unquestionably a ferocious and sanguinary animal, and is so much dreaded by the Indians and traders, that it is not surprising they should give currency to endless fables and exaggerations concerning it. But we cannot avoid a feeling of surprise, mingled with some mortification, to find respectable and intelligent travellers repeating, as actually true, statements of the habits of our animals, which a very slight effort of reason would show to be utterly absurd. Here we have A BEAR, the largest species known, coursing after men in packs, and yelping like hounds! when we have not on record, evidence, perhaps, of more than thirty of these animals having been seen since the existence of the species was discovered; nor the slightest evidence that any bear ever uttered any other sound than a low harsh growl!—T.
[13]. Since his return from America, General Lafayette has received a young grizzly bear from the Missouri, sent him by Governor Clark. He has presented it to the proprietors of the Jardin du Roi, who have placed it in the menagerie, where it may now be seen.
[14]. Another still more laborious mode of going up stream, was by extending a long line from the bow, by which the crew, walking along the margin of the river, dragged the boat along. This is what is called cordelling, and when it is recollected how rugged and irregular the shores of the western rivers are, and the necessity of carrying the cord clear of trees, rocks, &c., a more painful and exhausting kind of labour can scarcely be imagined.—T.
[15]. Vevay wine is a perfect nondescript; in colour it slightly approaches thin claret; its taste is altogether peculiar; something like it might be made by sweetening vin de grave with brown sugar. Nothing but a strong effort of courtesy, however, can induce any one seriously to call it wine, unless the fact of its being made from grapes be sufficient to secure it this title. As to its being “the best of the wines made in the United States,” we apprehend the author’s experience was scarcely sufficient to make his opinion decisive. It is certainly far inferior to the best of our cider, in all the requisites of a pleasant beverage.—T.
[16]. The canal has been completed since this journal was written, and fully equals all anticipations.—T.
[17]. The territory of Vermont was at first part of the state of New Hampshire, from which it was separated in 1764, to be annexed to that of New York. It was not until 1791, that Vermont was admitted into the confederation as an independent state.
[18]. Professor List was condemned to ten years of hard literary labour, for having consented to be the organ of his fellow citizens to the king of Wirtemberg.