the permission or disposal of Providence, from selfish or
social views, yet in time the mysterious will of Heaven is unfolded, and
we behold our conduct, from whatsoever motives excited, operating to
answer the important designs of Heaven. Thus we behold Kentucky, lately a
howling wilderness, the habitation of savages and wild beasts, become a
fruitful field; this region, so favorably distinguished by nature, now
become the habitation of civilization, at a period unparalleled in
history, in the midst of a raging war, and under all the disadvantages of
emigration to a country so remote from the inhabited parts of the
continent. Here, where the hand of violence shed the blood of the
innocent; where the horrid yells of savages and the groans of the
distressed sounded in our ears, we now hear the praises and adorations of
our Creator; where wretched wigwams stood, the miserable abodes of
savages, we behold the foundations of cities laid, that, in all
probability, will equal the glory of the greatest upon earth. And we view
Kentucky, situated on the fertile banks of the great Ohio, rising from
obscurity to shine with splendor equal to any other of the stars of the
American hemisphere.

The settling of this region well deserves a place in history. Most of the
memorable events I have myself been exercised in; and, for the
satisfaction of the public, will briefly relate the circumstances of my
adventures, and scenes of life, from my first movement to this country
until this day.

It was on the first of May, in the year 1769, that I resigned my domestic
happiness for a time, and left my family and peaceable habitation on the
Yadkin river, in North Carolina, to wander through the wilderness of
America, in quest of the country of Kentucky, in company with John
Finley, John Stewart, Joseph Holden, James Monay, and William Cool. We
proceeded successfully, and after a long and fatiguing journey through a
mountainous wilderness, in a westward direction, on the 7th day of June
following we found ourselves on Red river, where John Finley had formerly
been trading with the Indians, and, from the top of an eminence, saw with
pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucky. Here let me observe that for
some time we had experienced the most uncomfortable weather, as a
prelibation of our future sufferings. At this place we encamped, and made
a shelter to defend us from the inclement season, and began to hunt and
reconnoitre the country. We found