LETTER III.

Situation and description of Pittsburg. Its manufactories, ship-building, and population.

State of education here.

Character and

Religious sects.

Schools. Market-house, and prices of pro

persons of the ladies.

visions. Price of land.

Amusements.

Pittsburg, October, 1806.

I AM afraid I tire your patience: three letters from this place, and yet it remains undescribed! Excuse me: I now

commence.

No inland town in the United States, or perhaps in the world, can boast of a position superior to this, both as to its beauty, and also the many advantages with which it is attended; it being delightfully situated at the head of the Ohio, and on the point of land formed

by the junction of the Alleghany and the Monongahela rivers. The site of the old French garrison Duquesne, which was taken by general Forbes in the year 1758, is immediately at the confluence of the two streams; and commands a charming view of each, as well as of the Ohio. The British garrison Fort Pitt (so called after the late earl of Chatham, and erected near the former post), higher up on the Monongahela, was once a place of some consequence as a frontier settlement, but fell into decay on being given up by its founders. As it was included in one of the manors of the Penn family, it was sold by the proprietaries; and now makes a part of the town of Pittsburg, and is laid out in town-lots. Fort Fayette, built a very few years since, is also within the limits of the town, on the bank of the Alleghany: a garrison is at present kept there; and for the most

part, it is made head-quarters for the army of the United States.

The spot on which this town stands, is so commanding (in the military phrase) that it has been emphatically called the, key to the western country; and its natural situation is peculiarly grand and striking. Blest as it is with numerous advantages, there is nothing surprising in its having increased rapidly within the last few years. It contains about four hundred houses, many of them large and elegantly built with brick; and above two thousand inhabitants. It abounds with mechanics, who cultivate most of the different manufactures that are to be found in any other part of the United States; and possesses upward of forty retail stores,* which all seem

* The common name for the places of sale in America and the colonies; differing from shops in being generally larger, and always dealing in a vast variety of articles, including every thing that can be expected to be asked for.

continually busy. To this place most of the goods conveyed in waggons over the mountains in spring and autumn, and destined for the Kentucky and Louisiana trade, are brought, to be ready for embarkation.

Many valuable manufactories have been lately established here; among which are those of glass, nails, hats, and tobacco. The manufacture of glass is carried on extensively, and that article is made of an excellent quality. There are two establishments of this sort; one for the coarser, and the other for the finer kinds.

Ship-building is practised to a considerable extent in and near this town, and several vessels of from 10 to $50 tons are now on the stocks. They are frequently loaded here with flour, hemp, glass, and provisions: and then descend with the stream to the sea, a distance of 2300 miles; the only instance of such

a length of fresh-water inland navigation, for vessels of such burthen, known in the world,

The principal inhabitants of Pittsburg are Irish, or of Irish origin: this accounts for the commercial spirit of the place, and the good-breeding and hospitality which in general prevail throughout it.-Colonel O'Hara, and majors Kirkpatrick and Grey, have been long distinguished for the liberality of their character, and their generous attention to strangers. I am indebted to them for much information and kindness; and whenever ny mind wants a subject capable of affording it the most pleasing contemplation, it shall revert to the many happy hours which I enjoyed in their society, and that of their amiable families. The influence of these and many other gentlemen of similar sentiments, is very favourable to the town; and has hindered the vicious propensities