FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

already so naughty [p 2], that he gives all the indications that he will one day go to the
gallows. 13
Saturday, 26 th [November, 1808]. We haven’t stopped. <strong>The</strong> weather is calm and
beautiful, rather mild for the season. This morning we saw people going to meet the
market and we arranged to buy several provisions from them. We went to a farm
maintained by a Dutch family. Everything breathed prosperity and cleanliness. <strong>The</strong> milk
was exquisite. <strong>The</strong>y sold us excellent hams of fallow deer. Every day the rowboat is sent
to the land to look for wood. Today this almost involved us in a rather serious quarrel.
Our men took some wood that had been cut up on the side of the river bank. <strong>The</strong> owner
showed up with a carbine and I saw in an instant what was about to be enkindled. A
piaster re-established peace.
In the afternoon we passed in front of Galliopolis, a settlement originally established by
Frenchmen. Very little of it is left. <strong>The</strong>y abandoned both sides of the Ohio to go settle in
Illinois.
Sunday, 27 th [November, 1808; continuation of the same letter]. This morning we
purchased a wild turkey from a peasant for a quarter of a piaster, and his passage with us
as far as the mouth of the Scioto. This river waters some magnificent country in the state
of Ohio and boats go up more than 200 miles from the confluence. Two little towns,
Portsmouth and Alexandria, are situated on each side of the mouth. It was here that for
the first time we enjoyed a pretty view of the river. Up to now, it has been constantly
hemmed in between chains of hills which stretch out for a mile from the river bank,
covered with trees as are the lowlands which at times form narrow bands between the
hills and the river. <strong>The</strong> latter appears as but an expanse of water, a bit rapid, flowing
between forests denuded of foliage and [where] the earth is covered with dry leaves
[which] saddens the glance with its somber monotony. Near the mouth of the Scioto one
begins to see hills farther away rising behind one another, in different colors. For the first
time one has a perspective.
Monday, 28 th [November 1808]. We wanted to stop at Limestone. <strong>The</strong> night was dark
and for fear of missing it we landed in some fashion or other and not without risk
between trees whose feet were bathed by the current. Fortunately, at daylight we found
ourselves a mile above the town but on the opposite side. We were barely able to land,
13 Blennerhasset’s Island undoubtedly refers to the island of Harman Blennerhasset, who emigrated from
Ireland to the US in 1796, and who created a small Eden on his island in the Ohio River, with a huge
mansion, library, musical instruments, and fine food. He played a major role in the conspiracy trial of
former Vice President Aaron Burr, because Burr visited the island in 1805, and discussed his plans to seize
Spanish and perhaps other western territory. Blennerhasset later wrote a letter to Burr agreeing to support
Burr’s ambitious plans. In the fall of 1806 US officials including President Jefferson became aware of the
conspiracy and sent the state militia to seize the island and Blennerhasset. <strong>The</strong> militia sacked the mansion
and seized eleven “invasion” craft, while Blennerhasset fled. Blenerhasset claimed that these were craft for
settlers, not invaders. Blennerhasset was later tried, but like Burr, escaped conviction. He moved to
Canada and died in Guernsey in poverty in 1831. He reportedly sold the island in 1807, before Jean-
Baptiste arrived, so perhaps J-B did not actually go ashore and meet him, but heard stories about him.
Sadly, the mansion burned in 1811. However, it has been re-created as a state park, and can be visited
during the summer.
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