company, composed of polished military and mercantile gentlemen of New Orleans, many of whom are waiting for the troubling or rising of the waters, and consequent movement of the steam-boats. Board here, with five in a bed-room, is two and a quarter dollars per day, a shameful piece of extortion, when it is remembered that provisions of all kinds here, cost a mere trifle; yet in the hall, an immense dining-table seems crowded with good company. Notices, however, are posted in several rooms, by the landlord, stating, that unless gentlemen-boarders pay up, further credit will be discontinued.
26th.—I rode in a hackney coach to Shipping-port,[65] a sort of hamlet of Louisville, standing on the margin of the river, opposite to a flourishing new town on the other side, called Albion, in Indiana.[66] Counted from twelve to sixteen elegant steam-boats aground, waiting for water. Boarded and examined the Post-boy, which cost 50,000 dollars, and is intended only for passengers up and down the Ohio and Mississipi waters, containing fifty births or beds, a separate dining-room, a ladies' room, and state room, with a fine promenade at top, having three decks, with all necessary and elegant appurtenances. The boat called the United States, is much superior to the Post-boy, being of 700 tons burthen, a complete {202} floating hotel, little less than the London Tavern. The passage down from hence to Orleans is 75 dollars, a price which competition, and the unnecessary number of boats built, will greatly reduce. Entered and dined at a low (but the best) tavern in Shipping-port, intending, if I liked it, to board
