We stopped a short time to view the remains
of Fort Defiance

. This fort was built by Gene-
ral Wayne, in the course of his march to attack
the Indians. The situation is very beautiful and
commanding, at the junction of the river Great
Au Glaize with the Miami. The two rivers
make a large body of water, the width being
about two hundred yards. A Canadian trader
only resides here. We also went on shore several
times to visit Indian towns and camps. Great
numbers of Indians are settled upon the banks
of the Miami; they are chiefly of the Ottoway
and Shawnese tribes. They appeared pleased
at receiving visitors. Their children were very
antic, and seemed to leap for joy on seeing us
land; doubtless from a hope of receiving some
presents. The hunters are returning to their
towns, and many of their wigwams are stocked
with peltry, dried raccoon, and jerk venison.
They are on their way to the foot of the rapids.
The women are mostly employed in knitting
bags and belts and in making moccasins. A
considerable number of Indians are on the river
in bark canoes loaded with peltry. They are on
the way to the foot of the rapids and other places
for the purpose of exchanging their peltry with
the traders for goods. Most of the wigwams we
have seen to-day are covered with rushes sewed
together, which are procured from the shores of
Lake Erie, and so put together, that the covering
will turn any fall of rain. An Indian house is