Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-08-24
ID o III E S 4 &c.
BROWNS ILI.L, PExS.


The following description OF a particular
point in tie western country. comes to us
IN the shape in VIII Oh we present It t, TIE
reader From the earjiaIity uf tae portrait
we are iucliaej TO thlok ,he communicate
on is from resident rather than travel
ler, aud that TIE opistoiatoTy form has
been chasen by the writer as best adapt
e, to the frced>m Of narration. Whether
resident or traveller, his views sre inter.
esfiug. .Yat Int.
Lttfsi. from Citizen Of Vireiaip. t,aoel-
liag Rihe 9;sst, to his friend is this
neighbolTh0od.
bRowNsvILLE, July, 1876.
On Sunday last / arrived at this place,
and being cppss4sras,y- fgtigued, deter,
mined to rest here a few DAYS to recruit
my strength, This place having been made
a'pniiit of the national road is worthy Of no.
tee. lhaye therefore, Concluded thai in
performance of the pledge made prior 10
my leaving --.-, could not entertain
yeu better, OF more aeceptabIy, than by a
description Of the place whence now adj
dress my friend. The Inflammation recei-
we'd of those gentlemen to whom hail let
ters and my own information, will enable
ne TO Give a more detailed and minute drS-
criptiou, than could otherwise be expected
FROM a sojourner like myself But to pro-
ceed--BrCwnsyille is situated in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, on an elevated bank
OF the Mmongahela river, immediately at
the junction Of Dunlap's creek. The river
is here gentle aud beautiful stream, af.
ior'iing navigation to craft that draw two
or three feet water, the greater part Of the
year---anf from actual examination, bN
commissioners appointed for that purpose,
1t has been ascertainel that tr.fiing eX-
pence would so improve it as to make ii
navigable the whole wear. If go, and
have 10 reason to doubtit, [ am surprised
that the Dopulous & wealthy state of Penn
sylvauia, ab0unding in resources, and an.
ample treasury, does not afford the means
OF accomplishing so desirable an improve
ment to the inland navigitun Of he terri
tory. The great tail, Ia name given by
the Indians to their pathe) leadi Z from tile
settlement 10 Maryland aud Virginia, to
the different nations of indians that iuhsb-
ted The now states nf0bio and KeuiuCktc
crossing he rreE At this point, eatiy drew
the attention Of trader, and IT was select
~ df an eHgiDie SCitf Tnr q tort or stock
ade, T. prOtect the defeGceiess settlers from
the rayagps Of the savage, ihat continued
TO 'Oam tic couptry, c0sAuu;;ng he reGa-
tons on the property e the ffoniie iahs
0iiants. and gratifyiis tneir thirst for blood
whenever an portuaity offered The flriI
Il such aPpeilaion Il deser es, was meh a.
were customary in the western country in
th"-e days, consisting Of earth thrown 0uti
OF tn ditch surrounding 1t, to TIE hejght Of
d few leei and called Red Stone Fort -
probaoiy from 4 large bank Of red cart. that
Is situate about mile from Che scite, re-
5 mbiiDg spanish brDwa, and when used
with OIL, answers every purpose of that
paint for the cOloring sfhouses. &c. At al
later period, that fort was demolished, and
a more regular and enlarged one erected !
With strong and substantial block houses
lnciosed, and denominated Byrd's Forts
whetheg ont prospect Of the commanding
officer at that time, or in honor of some da-
rfbg warrior in their frequent skirmishes
With the Indians, am not able to say--nor
8 1t at this period, of much consequence,
he fort beiDg destroyed by the rayages Of
time, and in its stead erected large and
iiourlshiDg town, destined at day not far