Andrew Ellicott's observations recorded in his Journal of 1803
Andrew Ellicott was an observer. Ellicott had a keen sense of history with both feet firmly planted in the moment with a better than reasonable chance of imagining what was to come for his young nation about to embark on the world stage.
The following observations recorded in his Journal surveying the line of demarcation for the southern boundary of the U.S. with Spanish West Florida provides some insight to his contributions in shaping the future of the newly independent and rapidly expanding United States.
1803, Setting the record straight, Preface,
In the fourth paragraph Ellicott states that Sieur la Salle was the first European to descend the Mississippi River to its mouth. "This is the general opinion; it is however proper to observe, that Father Louis Hennepin... claims the credit... in the year 1680... two years before la Salle." Ellicott goes on to say, "I am of the opinion that he has either been mistaken himself, or attempted to deceive his readers."
Ellicott, having made the journey down the Mississippi himself, and using Farther Hennepin's own account published in 1698, points to the contradictions in Hennepin's timeline for the journey down the Mississippi, and the return trip.
1803, Under the thumb of foreign powers, Preface,
The second observation is also in the Preface, and considerably more significant. Soon after his return from surveying the line of demarcation with Spain in 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana territory from France. Ellicott acknowledges the variety of opinions on the advantages of the purchase. His attention was less on the purchase of a vast territory west of the Mississippi and more on the strategic importance of securing access to the Gulf of Mexico. The port of Orleans, on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, and the safe harbors along the Gulf Coast was in the possession of Spain. His argument was that if the U.S. is to be a competing maritime nation, then it must be 'free of regulations from foreign powers.' He even hinted at trading the Louisiana territories to Spain for East and West Florida, but he must have known there was energy brewing in Washington, and the southern territories, to secure the two Florida's without the need for a trade with Spain.
1803, His views on slavery, p.2
"That domestic slavery is wrong in a moral point of view is evident from the ordinary principles of justice..." He gives two reasons why slavery is politically wrong. First, that cultivation by slavery is less productive than by freemen. Second, Slaves don't add to the strength of a community, but just the opposite. He says that although these facts are obvious it is difficult to overcome the "...custom of domestic slavery."
September, 1796, Children, poultry, and pigs p.7
"The buildings on the river banks, except in the towns, are generally of the poorest kind..." He notices that the people are as dirty as their cabins, that are "...open to their children, poultry and pigs." He attributes this lack of 'cleanliness' to a diminished habit of industry because the 'new land produces with little labor.'
October, 1796, Atmosphere loaded with smoke, p.8
It's shortly after leaving Pittsburgh that Ellicott begins to notice heavy smoke. He will continue to mention the smoke as he, and his crew, work their way down river to the Mississippi. He attributes the smoke to the fall season and dead leaves and grass, but later comes to realize that the land is being cleared at an alarming rate.
Amazing monuments of earth, p. 8, 10
After passing Wheeling and setting camp, Ellicott "Went to view the amazing monuments of earth, thrown up many years ago by the aborigines of the country, for some reason unknown to us." He describes them as being 70 feet high with a "large oak tree" growing in a depression on top of the mound. Further down stream a week later while, "The men were employed in repairing the boats. ", Ellicott explored more "...amazing works thrown up many years ago by the Indians.", noting that the mounds were more "...regular..." than the mounds up stream.
The variation of the magnetic needle, p. 11
During a stop over in Marietta Ellicott paid a visit to General Putnam, the Surveyor General of the U.S., and presented him with one of Ellicott's "... pamphlets upon the variation of the Magnetic needle." The General didn't repay the visit, nor make a reply.
Floating grain mills, p. 11, 12
The streams in this area of the Ohio River are too shallow most of the year for commercial use and the local farmers had to resort to "... floating mills... erected upon two, or more, canoes or boats, and anchored in the strong current. The flat boards of the water wheels, dip their whole breadth into the stream; by which they are propelled forward, and give motion to the whole machinery." When the water level rises in the streams during the winter and spring months, the floating mils are towed to a safe harbor till the next season. Ellicott offers his opinion that land-based mills are preferred over the floating mills, but that both are preferred over wind powered mills or "... worked by horses."
Manual labor, domestic animals - wind and water, p. 12
Had it not been for the discovery of oil, where would civilization be today in the development of wind and water for power?
"The lessening of manual labour and that of domestic animals... merits the attention of the moralist, the philosopher and the legislator. The effect produced by either the wind, or water, is not attended with any expense... and more to their ease, safety and convenience."
Col. Lewis of Lewis and Clark? p.13
Arriving in Point Pleasant on the 14th of October, Ellicott is told of a "...memorable battle between a detachment of Virginia militia (commanded by Col. Lewis,) and the Shawnee and Delaware Indians." that was fought near that location.
To be continued..........
The following observations recorded in his Journal surveying the line of demarcation for the southern boundary of the U.S. with Spanish West Florida provides some insight to his contributions in shaping the future of the newly independent and rapidly expanding United States.
1803, Setting the record straight, Preface,
In the fourth paragraph Ellicott states that Sieur la Salle was the first European to descend the Mississippi River to its mouth. "This is the general opinion; it is however proper to observe, that Father Louis Hennepin... claims the credit... in the year 1680... two years before la Salle." Ellicott goes on to say, "I am of the opinion that he has either been mistaken himself, or attempted to deceive his readers."
Ellicott, having made the journey down the Mississippi himself, and using Farther Hennepin's own account published in 1698, points to the contradictions in Hennepin's timeline for the journey down the Mississippi, and the return trip.
1803, Under the thumb of foreign powers, Preface,
The second observation is also in the Preface, and considerably more significant. Soon after his return from surveying the line of demarcation with Spain in 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana territory from France. Ellicott acknowledges the variety of opinions on the advantages of the purchase. His attention was less on the purchase of a vast territory west of the Mississippi and more on the strategic importance of securing access to the Gulf of Mexico. The port of Orleans, on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, and the safe harbors along the Gulf Coast was in the possession of Spain. His argument was that if the U.S. is to be a competing maritime nation, then it must be 'free of regulations from foreign powers.' He even hinted at trading the Louisiana territories to Spain for East and West Florida, but he must have known there was energy brewing in Washington, and the southern territories, to secure the two Florida's without the need for a trade with Spain.
1803, His views on slavery, p.2
"That domestic slavery is wrong in a moral point of view is evident from the ordinary principles of justice..." He gives two reasons why slavery is politically wrong. First, that cultivation by slavery is less productive than by freemen. Second, Slaves don't add to the strength of a community, but just the opposite. He says that although these facts are obvious it is difficult to overcome the "...custom of domestic slavery."
September, 1796, Children, poultry, and pigs p.7
"The buildings on the river banks, except in the towns, are generally of the poorest kind..." He notices that the people are as dirty as their cabins, that are "...open to their children, poultry and pigs." He attributes this lack of 'cleanliness' to a diminished habit of industry because the 'new land produces with little labor.'
October, 1796, Atmosphere loaded with smoke, p.8
It's shortly after leaving Pittsburgh that Ellicott begins to notice heavy smoke. He will continue to mention the smoke as he, and his crew, work their way down river to the Mississippi. He attributes the smoke to the fall season and dead leaves and grass, but later comes to realize that the land is being cleared at an alarming rate.
Amazing monuments of earth, p. 8, 10
After passing Wheeling and setting camp, Ellicott "Went to view the amazing monuments of earth, thrown up many years ago by the aborigines of the country, for some reason unknown to us." He describes them as being 70 feet high with a "large oak tree" growing in a depression on top of the mound. Further down stream a week later while, "The men were employed in repairing the boats. ", Ellicott explored more "...amazing works thrown up many years ago by the Indians.", noting that the mounds were more "...regular..." than the mounds up stream.
The variation of the magnetic needle, p. 11
During a stop over in Marietta Ellicott paid a visit to General Putnam, the Surveyor General of the U.S., and presented him with one of Ellicott's "... pamphlets upon the variation of the Magnetic needle." The General didn't repay the visit, nor make a reply.
Floating grain mills, p. 11, 12
The streams in this area of the Ohio River are too shallow most of the year for commercial use and the local farmers had to resort to "... floating mills... erected upon two, or more, canoes or boats, and anchored in the strong current. The flat boards of the water wheels, dip their whole breadth into the stream; by which they are propelled forward, and give motion to the whole machinery." When the water level rises in the streams during the winter and spring months, the floating mils are towed to a safe harbor till the next season. Ellicott offers his opinion that land-based mills are preferred over the floating mills, but that both are preferred over wind powered mills or "... worked by horses."
Manual labor, domestic animals - wind and water, p. 12
Had it not been for the discovery of oil, where would civilization be today in the development of wind and water for power?
"The lessening of manual labour and that of domestic animals... merits the attention of the moralist, the philosopher and the legislator. The effect produced by either the wind, or water, is not attended with any expense... and more to their ease, safety and convenience."
Col. Lewis of Lewis and Clark? p.13
Arriving in Point Pleasant on the 14th of October, Ellicott is told of a "...memorable battle between a detachment of Virginia militia (commanded by Col. Lewis,) and the Shawnee and Delaware Indians." that was fought near that location.
To be continued..........
