Here are a few extracts from that diary still preserved in his own hand which give the intimation of a prescience that should in itself hold for him a grateful place in the memory of the west and of a concern about little things that should bring him a bit nearer to our human selves:

September 6. "Remained at Bath all day and was showed the Model of a Boat constructed by the ingenious Mr. (James) Rumsey for ascending rapid currents by mechanism…. Having hired three Pack horses to give my own greater relief…."

September 11. "This is a pretty considerable water and, as it is said to have no fall in it, may, I conceive, be improved into a valuable navigation…."

September 12. "Crossing the Mountains, I found tedious and fatieguing [sic]…. In passing over the Mountains I met numbers of Persons and Pack horses … from most of whom I made enquiries of the nature of the Country…."

September 13. "I visited my Mill"

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). My Mill I could obtain no bid for…."

September 19. "Being Sunday, and the People living on my Land, apparently very religious" [these were Scotch-Irish who had squatted on a rich piece of land patented by Washington], "it was thought best to postpone going among them till to-morrow…."

September 20. "I told them I had no inclination to sell; however, after hearing a good deal of their hardships, their Religious principles (which had brought them together as a society of Ceceders [sic]) and unwillingness to seperate [sic] or remove; I told them I would make them a last offer…."

September 22. "Note—In my equipage Trunk and the Canteens—were Madeira and Port Wine—Cherry bounce—Oyl, Mustard—Vinegar—and Spices of all sorts—Tea, and Sugar in the Camp Kettles (a whole loaf of white sugar broke up about 7 lbs. weight)…. My fishing lines are in the Canteens…."

September 23. "An Apology made to me from the Court of Fayette (thro' Mr. Smith) for not addressing me."