four. The third, we returned to Wells' river; forty-two. The first twelve or fifteen, our journey lay along Connecticut river, and then as much more along the Posoomsuck; the remainder was a continual ascent and descent of lofty hills. The first two-thirds of the road were pretty good; the last third, intolerably bad. The soil throughout this distance is generally productive. On the Posoomsuck, as well as on the Connecticut, are many rich and handsome intervals. In St. Johnsbury is a plain about half a mile in diameter, remarkable for being the only spot of this nature throughout the whole distance. Ryegate and Barnet are chiefly Scotch settlements; the former colonized by a collection of inhabitants, brought from Scotland by Dr. Witherspoon. We found a good character everywhere given of these people, for their industry, good order, and good morals; and, so far as we could judge, they were generally in comfortable circumstances. A reputable clergyman from Scotland is settled in each of these townships. The weather, although it was only so late as the 5th and 6th of October, we found intensely cold. It snowed and rained alternately on both days; and on the morning of Wednesday the ground was hard frozen. The maize had been chiefly destroyed by a succession of frosts during the preceding month; and, what I had never heard of at this season of the year before, the wheat had in several instances been killed by frost about the 20th of August.

The summer was the coldest, which I ever knew. In grounds, which were not warm, and particularly favourable, the maize scarcely attained half its proper growth; and of that which grew well, not more than two-thirds, or threefourths, arrived at maturity. The best and ripest, which I saw during the season, was in Haverhill, on a fine interval, which I have elsewhere described.

Most of the summer and autumnal fruits were also shrivelled and insipid. The peaches, cherries, &c. were chiefly destroyed; and those which were left were generally of little value. The pears and apples were shrunk in many instances to half their proper size, and defective in their flavour. late apples were, however, generally good.

The

From Wells' river, where we found a good hospitable inn, we returned on Thursday morning, October 8th, to New

bury, and thence proceeded to Dartmouth college: thirtyfive miles.

The next day we set out for Windsor, and arrived about twelve o'clock. In Lebanon, the horse, belonging to my companions, was frightened by a waggon, and, running off a causey, overturned their chaise, and left them at the bottom. Both of them and the horse, however, escaped without any serious injury.

On Saturday my companions quitted Windsor for Washington, and thence proceeded down the river. I had come to Windsor by appointment, as a delegate from the General Association of Connecticut to a convention of clergymen, which was to be held here on Wednesday the 21st; and was therefore necessitated to continue in this part of the country till that time. The interval, except two days spent with some friends at Charlestown, I passed very pleasantly in this town. Nothing, which politeness could dictate or hospitality furnish, was omitted by a circle of very respectable families to make my residence peculiarly agreeable, and to leave on my mind the best impressions of their character.

The convention met on the day appointed, and finished all the important parts of their business. On Thursday, therefore, I left my good friends at Windsor, and proceeded to Charlestown to dinner, and in the evening arrived at Putney; forty miles. The next day I reached the southern part of Deerfield, thirty-eight miles; and on Saturday arrived at Northampton, thirteen. Hence on Monday I proceeded to Hartford, forty-three; and the following day arrived at NewHaven without an accident.

I found the whole country improved, and many of the parts not a little. Orford is become a beautiful town. The village of Dartmouth has assumed a much better aspect.

In the account, which I formerly gave of Connecticut river, I made the following observations:

"A little labour bestowed on the falls of Waterqueechy, and locks and a small dam at those of Lebanon, would extend the navigation to the foot of the Fifteen-mile falls, about two hundred and forty-five miles. Whenever the country above shall have become universally settled, these obstructions will undoubtedly be removed. At present the

quantity of business is insufficient to justify the expense, necessary for this purpose."

These observations were made in the year 1803. My expectations have been anticipated by a period of many years. In 1807, the legislature of New-Hampshire granted to Mills .Olcott, Esq., under the style of "The White River Falls' Company," the privilege of completing a lock navigation over these falls, more generally known by the name of Lebanon falls, and of regulating the rate of toll, on the condition that he should not interfere with the passage round them by the old or customary road. Mr. Olcott, under this style, was empowered at his option to unite others with him, or not, in this design; but determined to undertake the accomplishment of it without any associates, and completed it in the year 1809. The falls are three in number. At the second a dam is thrown across the river, which renders the navigation safe and easy over the first. Another dam at the third extends the navigation back to the second. There are three locks at the upper, and two at the lower dam. Saw-mills of superior value and extent are erected at these works. Some of them are formed in such a manner as to saw planks sixtyfive feet in length, intended for the decks of vessels. The whole expense of these works amounted to somewhat more than 30,000 dollars. The net revenue, which they yielded during the years 1810 and 1811, was 3,000 dollars a year, or ten per cent. The rate of toll hitherto has been one dollar per ton.

The falls at Waterqueechy were made passable about the same time.

Thus is the navigation of this river already opened, and rendered convenient for boats, carrying twenty or twenty-five tons, not to the foot of Fifteen-mile falls, as I formerly supposed might be done, but to about thirteen miles above Newbury, and two hundred and forty-seven from its mouth at Saybrook. Wells' river, five miles above Newbury, will, however, be for a considerable time the most northern station, of any importance, for this business. To this spot produce, particularly potash, has been brought from the settlements in Vermont, thirty miles higher up; and in the opinion of Major Hale, a respectable inhabitant of this place, will hereafter be

generally conveyed. Foreign goods have also been carried from this place to Lancaster in New-Hampshire, forty miles, and in one instance to Colebrook, seventy-five miles, above. When, therefore, I asserted, that the commerce of this country, from twenty-five miles above Newbury, would one day centre in the city of Hartford, you will consider me as having limited the assertion by moderate bounds.

When I was at Wells' river, there were fourteen boats at that landing, destined to this business. The voyage thence to Hartford, including the return, is made in twenty-five days. It has been performed in twenty-two or twenty-three. Of course, nine voyages may be conveniently made in a season.

Each boat is manned by two men. The stream carries it down at the rate of from three to four miles an hour. On their return the boatmen avail themselves of the eddies, or back currents, which are often found on the borders of the river. Each boat also carries a large square sail, which is hoisted whenever the wind favours. Such boats are found at convenient distances throughout the whole length of the river, to the point where the proximity of Hartford renders them unnecessary. This mode of transportation is continually increasing, and becoming more and more regular. The period is not distant when it will convey most, if not all, of the marketable produce and manufactures of this extensive region to the ocean.

Among the towns, through which I passed in my way from Windsor, those which had most improved in their appearance were Charlestown and Greenfield, Northampton and Hartford.

At Hartford I received the melancholy news of the death of his Excellency Roger Griswold, Esq., governor of Connecticut.

To the memory of this gentleman I would willingly pay such a tribute of respect as his distinguished worth, the important services which he rendered to his country, and, may I be permitted to add, the numerous testimonies of his friendship to me, so justly demand.

He was born at Lyme, May 21st, 1762. His father was the late Governor Griswold, heretofore respectfully mentioned in these Letters; and his mother, the daughter of the first Go

vernor Wolcot, and sister of the second. He was educated at Yale college, where he took his first degree in 1780. In 1783 he was admitted to the bar; in 1794, he was chosen a representative of this state in congress; in 1801, he was appointed, by President Adams, secretary of war, but declined the office. In 1807, having resigned his seat in congress, he was appointed, by President Adams, secretary of war, but declined the office. In 1807, having resigned his seat in congress, he was appointed a judge of the superior court in this state. In 1809, he was chosen lieutenant-governor; and, in 1811, was raised to the chief seat of magistracy. In this station he died, October, 1812.

Governor Griswold possessed an uncommonly good person; was tall, well made, and vigorous. His complexion, countenance, and eye, were remarkably fine; presenting to a spectator an almost singular combination of amiableness and dignity.

His mind was perfectly suited to such a form. It was a mind of the first class; combining an imagination, an understanding, and a memory, rarely united. With these powers were joined sweetness of temper, unwarping probity, great candour, firmness, which nothing could shake, and patriotism, unquestioned even by the malignant spirit of party. To these high attributes he added a delicacy, scarcely rivalled by our sex, and not often excelled by the other.

It will not appear surprising, that with such qualities Governor Griswold should acquire high distinction in every employment which he assumed. At the bar, and on the bench, he was considered as standing in the first rank of his compeers. In congress, for several years, he was regarded by those of both political parties as the first man in the house of representatives. His knowledge of the public affairs and true interests of this country, for some years before he left congress, was probably not excelled by that of any individual member in that body. It was at once comprehensive and minute; embracing the great and general principles of sound American policy, and entering, in a sense intuitively, into those details of business, which ultimately regulate all the practical concerns of a community, and without which those concerns can never be directed either with success or safety.