I saw a number of large flat-bottomed boats in
this river, some of which had come upwards of
300 miles, and could carry 1000 bushels of wheat.
The largest of them are more than 70 feet in length,
but calculated for one voyage only, and for floating
down the rivers with the stream, over shallows and
falls; for when they arrive at the place of their
destination, they're taken in pieces and the
timber is used for other purposes. Exclusive
of these boats, which are called arks, and have
frequently a kind of cottage upon them, in which
several persons are accommodated during the
voyage; there are also many large floats of timber
which are so fixed together, that they appear like
one large compact body, on which a small dwelling-
house is built for the accommodation of a family.
These floats sometimes contain several thousand
feet of timber, which are conveyed in this way se-
venty hundred miles, at a very trifling expense. After
crossing this beautiful river in the ferry boat, we
came to Columbia

, a small new built town rising
fast into importance. Here we again entered into
the stage, and passing through a fine well-cultivated
country, on a good turnpike-road, we came to
Lancaster; which is considered the best inland
town in North America, and is about 12 miles
distant from Columbia.

8th Month, 25th.

This was the first day of the
week: and there being no meeting of friends in