The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

120 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1770.
expense, the matter was at last adjusted. Nor did
he remit his efforts till every officer and private soldier
had received his due proportion. Where deaths had
occurred, the heirs were sought out, and their claims
verified and allowed. Even Vanbraam, who was believed to have deceived him at the capitulation of the
Great Meadows, and who went as a hostage to Canada, thence to England, and never returned to America, was not forgotten in the distribution. His share
was reserved, and he was informed that it was at his
disposal.
While this business was in progress, Washington
resolved to visit the western lands in person, and select for the surveys such tracts as would have an intrinsic value, both in regard to their location and quality. This was the more important, as it was necessary
to take the land in large tracts, and then divide it
according to a prescribed ratio.
" In the autumn of 1770, accompanied by his friend,
Dr. Craik, who had been his companion in arms at
the battles of the Great Meadows and of the Monongahela, he performed a tour of nine weeks for this
purpose. Proceeding to Pittsburg on horseback, he
there embarked in a canoe, and descended the Ohio
River to the Great Kenhawa, a distance of two hundred
and sixty-five miles.
At that time there were no inhabitants on the Ohio
below Pittsburg, except the natives of the forest. A
few traders had wandered into those regions, and land
speculators had sent out emissaries to explore the
country, but no permanent, settlements had been
formed. He was attended down the river by William Crawford, a person accustomed to the woods, and
a part of the way by Colonel Croghan, distinguished
for his knowledge of Indian affairs. The voyage was