Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

N E W . H A V E N, April 12.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in the Western Country, to his friend in Connecticut, dated Fort Harmer, February 7, 1786.
'It is impossible for me to give you an adequate idea of this country : General Parsons, on his return, with his own observations (and mine if of any service) will be able to answer every query. However, for the present permit me to say, it is a most delightful country, with every alluring promise--earnestly solicits the attention of the industrious farmer from the Eastern states--struggle no longer with the devouring embarrasments of, cold and frost, in the barren regions of the North, but embrace the invitations of peace and plenty in a temperate climate.

I must not close my letter, without dealing a little in the wonderful. We have discovered the ruins of a very ancient town : it is 90 rods square, surrounded with a wall which is at this time 2 rods thick, and 5 or 6 feet high; and from the appearance of soil, two or three growths have already added to the manure ; and the present timber affords trees even 2 feet diameter on the walls. I cannot give a minute description, without delineating it ; for which I have not time at present. It is four square, with 12 gates,: 3 on each side, and very regular : between the town and the Ohio are regular fortifications, with turrets of observation. lines of defence, out-works, &c. In the town are a number of raised grounds, with regular ascents to them, probably places of worship, and a canal to lead the water from the town, 8 rods wide--a wall on each side, which is still 30 feet high in some places--the burying grounds, &c. &c.------We have made every inquiry of inhabitants and Indians; they can give no satisfactory accounts : the Indians say their fathers do not know who made them : then it would be mere conjecture in me to endeavour to unravel the secret.-- That they are not works of nature, is certain ; and that the indians, in their present state, have not made them, is as certain : then it follows, that the present Indians, are descendants of nations once acquainted with arts, or this continent was inhabited by a nation unknown. who are lost in the revolutions of time. and entirely extinct : for many reasons I am apt to embrace the latter : but let either of the two be true, it convinces me that we know very little respecting the first peopling of America.

I shall write by Gen. Parsons, when he returns : I received a letter from him the 9th of January : business then wore a favourable aspect : he was well-and believe me he does wonders among the sons of nature. Many are the embarrassments attending a treaty ; every of which, I believe, he will surmount ; and if we have peace (which I think we shall) he has made it.'