[69] Dr. James Craik was a Scotchman by birth, and a very noble man. He accompanied Washington in the unfortunate expedition rendered memorable by the disaster of Jumonville. Washington cherished, for him, a life-long friendship.
[70] “At that time (1770) there were no inhabitants on the Ohio, below Pittsburg, except the natives of the forest. A few traders had wandered into those regions, and land speculators had sent out emissaries to explore the country; but no permanent settlements had been formed.”—Sparks’ Life of Washington, p. 111.
[71] The Muskingum is one of the largest rivers that runs wholly in the State of Ohio. It flows down, from its sources far away in the north, with a gentle current, over a pebbly bottom, and is navigable for large boats, for a distance of about one hundred miles. The beautiful city of Marietta now stands at its mouth, where the wigwam of the Indian only was seen at the time of Washington’s visit.—M’Culloch’s Geographical Dictionary.
[72] The Great Kanawha, after flowing through a garden-like region four hundred miles in extent, enters the Ohio about two hundred and fifty miles below Pittsburg.—M’Culloch’s Geographical Dictionary.
[73] “To Dissolve; to bring to an end by separating the parts or dispersing the members of; to terminate; to destroy; to cause to disappear; as, to dissolve parliament.
“To Prorogue; to continue from one session to another; to adjourn for an indefinite time; applied to the English Parliament.”—Webster.
[74] Washington’s diary testifies that he fasted rigidly, and attended divine worship in the Episcopal Church. He still retained friendly intercourse with the Dunmore family.
[75] See information given to the elder Adams, by Mr. Lynch of South Carolina.—Adams’ Diary.
[76] “Washington’s Writings,” by Jared Sparks, vol. ii. p. 329.
[77] “It is such an Assembly as never before came together, on a sudden, in any part of the world. Here are fortunes, abilities, learning, eloquence, acuteness, equal to any I ever met with in my life. Here is a diversity of religions, education, manners, interests, such as it would seem impossible to unite in one plan of conduct.”—Diary of John Adams.