Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

LETTER OF JAMES RILEY, ESQ. TO THE
EDITORS OF THE PHILA. UNION.
DATED
(Fort Defiance, (at the junction of the
Auglaize and Miami Rivers, Ohio),
November 26th, 1819.

Agreeable to my intentions, we set out from Fort Wayne, at day-light, on the 25th, and travelled along the old Indian trace, near the left bank of the Miami, until dark last evening, when we encamped in a fine and extensive bottom, where we formed a shelter from the rain, which began to pour in torrents. By raising two crotchets six feet from the ground, and 15 feet apart laying a pole in the crotchets, and by placing several smaller ones, one end on the ground and the other supported by the pole in the crotchets, and spreading our blankets over this frame, made a very comfortable roof, that completely shielded us from the storm, so that by keeping up a good fire at our feet, we passed an agreeable night, though surrounded by wild beasts, &c. This is a very simple and effectual mode of securing the wanderer among forests, from the inclemency of the weather; he only needs to carry a tomahawk, fire works and provisions.

The country through which we passed, appears very level, though gradually inclining towards the north or lake shore, as we perceived by the swiftness of the current of the river, and the uniform height of its banks. The Miami is a beautiful sheet of water, and clear as crystal in its low stage, as is now the case; so that standing on its banks we could plainly discover fishes in great numbers gliding through the fluid, even at the depth of ten, fifteen or 20 feet.

These fish are caught in great abundance at Fort Wayne, and in all the settlements on the river, in what the settlers call fish traps or baskets; and with the hook and line.

The day I stopped at Fort Wayne more than 200 of these fish, weighing from three to fifteen pounds each, were taken from the fish trap, belonging to the Indian agent, Dr. Turner, and capt. Hackley, formerly of the army who caught that morning besides, with hook and line, 20 or so black bass.

The fish that abound in this river are pike, lake salmon, pickerel, white perch very much resembling the sheepshead of the sea coast, yellow perch, black bass, &c. &c. annually found in the lakes and their waters.

Travelling down the river, we arrived about 10 o'clock, at the site of the old Delaware towns, where a few huts are now standing.

On both sides of the river, at, above and below these towns are extensive bottom lands, exceeding in richness of soil, any thing I ever saw; the grass with which the ground is covered on this extensive prairie is still green, so thick as to retard the progress of our horses; it is what is called redtop in the Eastern states, or grass that very much resembles it. Here we stopped
two hours and let our horses fill themselves, while we examined the adjoining lands, rivers, banks, &c.

The banks; and the timber in the vicinity Springs of excellent water flow from to black walnut, sugar-maple &c. is very large, strait, and tall.

which is at the head of the nine mile rapids, and fordable except at high stages of the water, we reached the Fort, at 5 P. M. and had time to examine its site and the surrounding country.

Fort Defiance is now no more than a small stockade picketed in ; a few log buildings stand within it. The site is of the Miami, at the point formed by it and the left bank of the Auglaize and above the junction of the two rivers- which is beautiful beyond description.

This site was selected by the unerring judgment of Gen. Wayne, whose name of that their most formidable enemy. Here, most religiously, that the spirit alone still makes the surrounding nations of Indians tremble ; who yet believe, to punish excesses on their part, well guards the whitemen, and will not fail remembering all he told them in Council.

The country near Fort Defiance is level, the land good, and timber large.

The rock forming the bed of the Miami and Auglaize, within 10 miles of this Fort, is a sort of junk slate, or bituminous shell, that will burn like mineral coal, though not so free.

The distance from Fort Wayne to Defiance, by land is computed (following the Indian trace which is very crooked) at 70, and by water one hundred and twenty miles.

Many streams enter the Miami between these two stations, on both sides sufficiently large for milling purposes, and the gullies or ravines they have formed, are steep and difficult to cross on horseback.

Along the banks of the river. mill-seats may be had at a trifling comparative expense, by cutting races at the small rapids, and without damming or obstructing the channel.

There are three or four families settled on the public lands, near this station, that furnish the traveller with shelter and provisions for his money.

To-morrow morning we intend to set out for Fort Meigs, and Port Lawrence, from whence I shall probably write you, and am,

In much haste.

Yours, &c.