spirits -- speaks extravagantly of the land of Illinois and Indiana, but badly of the people -- population vile.

10 o'clock -- Steamboat Coquette came down, and Farish and our Kentucky companion Crisler both went off for Cincinnati.  So here I am, left alone, on the banks of the Ohio!  I remain to see a Mr. Laidley, a lawyer, on Jerome's business, and to await the arrival of Hudgins, tomorrow.

Monday, Octo. 12, 1835

This tavern is kept by John G. Wright, a cousin of J. Metcalfe.  He married a Miss Holloway, step-daughter of John Crump's sister, Mrs. H. of Staunton, who is now here, and recognized me.  The barkeeper is ----- Fulton, a young man who once lived with W. R. Smith at the Orange mine.  He also recognized me.

Saw Mr. Laidley -- says the estate of Jerome, and of the company of which he is trustee, is worth nothing to the heirs.  Jerome died much in debt.  Had also incurred large debts for the company, on which judgments have been obtained, which will swallow the whole concern.  He mortgaged the whole of the lands to one Garnier, for $80,000.  This has been set aside in favor of other creditors, but is good as to J. and the company.  A hopeless concern.

Hudgins and Miss Hardin arrived at 2 o'clock; also one of our English miners.  Reports his sick companion, at Charleston, better; Mr. Wharton also mending.  In stage, also, Wm. M. Peyton, bound for the Southwest, and a Mr. Archer, going to Mississippi, and Dr. Best, of Mississippi.

At 8 o'clock, the steamboat Argo, from Pittsburg, came to, at the wharf.  She was full of goods and passengers, and our company determined to wait for the Wave, which is expected in a short time.  At 10 o'clock the Wave arrived, and we embarked.  Only 1 lady passenger and 6 gents.  Bill at Guyandotte, $1.75; porter and boots, 12 1/2 c.

Tuesday, Octo. 13th, 1835

Found ourselves, this morning, lying at the wharf at Portsmouth, a town in Ohio, at the mouth of the Scioto, and at the termination of the Ohio and Erie Canal, 103 miles above Cincinnati, 62 miles from Guyandotte; 1,000 inhabitants; 45 miles from Chilicothe and 90 from Columbus, both on the Scioto.  As the boat lay here until 1 o'clock, taking in freight, went over the town, and a short distance up the canal.  Locks of fine masonry, freestone of a superior fineness, and of a brownish cream colour; much of the building in this place and Guyandotte also ornamented with the same, taken from the neighboring hills.  Churches -- Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist, one building.  An extensive rolling and stilling steam mill and nail factory, owned by T. G. Gaylord.  The