about the Falls, and even much higher up the Ohio, have carried flour and other articles to New Orleans—but from whence has it proceeded?—Will any one who has ever calculated the difference between Water & Land transportation wonder at this?—especially in an infant settlement where the people are poor and weak handed—and pay more regard to their ease than to loss of time, or any other circumstance?
"Hitherto, the people of the Western Country having had no excitements to Industry, labour very little;—the luxuriancy of the Soil, with very little culture, produces provisions in abundance—these supplies the wants of the encreasing population—and the Spaniards when pressed by want have given high prices for flour—other articles they reject; & at times, (contrary I think to sound policy) shut their ports against them altogether—but let us open a good communication with the Settlements west of us—extend the inland Navigation as far as it can be done with convenience—and shew them by this means, how easy it is to bring the produce
