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an instrument called a fnow plough. It is made of planks, in a triangular form, with two fide boards to turn the fnow out on either hand. This inftrument is drawn by a large number of oxen, and loaded with as many people as can stand on it, whofe weight makes a hard and level path. When fuch an inftrument is not at hand, a fled turned upfide down anfwers the purpofe, though not fo effectually. These opérations are conducted by the surveyors of highways, who direct the fnow path to be made either in the common road, or through fields and other inclofures, as neceffity requires.

In travelling through New-Hampshire, there are now few places fo remote from pub lic houfes, or hofpitable inhabitants, as to oblige the traveller to lodge in the woods; but when this happens, either by neceffity or choice, a temporary hut may be conftructed, in an hour, by a perfon furnished with an axe. For this purpose a dry fituation is chofen, as near as may be to running water. The bark of hemlock or fpruce is peeled, in pieces of three or four feet long, and flatted; two or three upright crotches are fet in the ground, on which a pole is fixed horizontally; from the pole are laid other sticks, in a floping pofition, to the ground; on these are laid the flatted pieces of bark, each lapped over the other, in

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the form of shingles: Under this fhed, other pieces of bark are laid on the ground, for a floor, on which are strewed small twigs for a carpet. Before the open fide of the hut, is made a large fire, toward which the traveller places his feet, and being wrapped in a blanket, he paffes the night very comfortably, though, if the wind be unfavorable, he may be fomewhat incommoded by smoke. He is in no danger from wild beafts, who never venture to approach a fire. People who are ufed to the woods, do not always give themfelves the trouble to build a hut; but lie wrapped in their blanket by a fire; or, in foul weather, spread their blanket on sticks, and lie

under it.

Within these last twenty years, the country has been much improved in respect to roads;

and the communication between the diftant parts of it is become, in a great measure, easy and commodious. Much, however, remains to be done, especially in the western and northern parts of the State. Connecticut river is fo nearly parallel to the eastern coast of NewEngland, as to preferve almoft the fame diftance from the fea, which is generally from eighty to one hundred miles. The fowns fituate on that river communicate with the maritime towns, by different roads. Thofe in the southwestern quarter of the State generally

carry

carry their produce to Bofton. Roads have been opened from Dartmouth College, and the lower Cohos, to Portsmouth; and the establishment of a communication, by water carriage, across Winipifeogee lake, has been contemplated.

The towns above the lower Cohos, have as yet no convenient roads, directly to the fea coaft. The immense mountains between the rivers Saco and Connecticut, are, in most places, inacceffible; and where a communication is opened, transportation is neceffarily very difficult. The people on the upper branches of Saco river, find their nearest market at Portland, in Casco bay; and thither the inhabitants of the towns of the upper Cohos have reforted. But from a furvey made in 1782, by Dummer Sewall, Efq. it was found, that a road from Northumberland, on Connecticut river, to the head of navigation in Kennebec river, is very practicable. The diftance is between eighty and ninety miles; and for a third part of that distance from Kennebec, there are already roads and settlements.

The line which divides the northern part of New-Hampshire, from the eaftern counties of Maffachusetts, York and Cumberland, is an abfurd and unnatural boundary. The establishment of it originated in a narrow, selfish poli'cy; but as the true intereft of the country is

now

now better understood, and more liberal fentiments prevail, it appears to many attentive obfervers, that the whole extent of territory, between the upper part of Connecticut river on the weft, and the Atlantic ocean as far as Kennebec on the east, and as far northward as the limits of the United States, is formed by nature, to have a connexion and dependence, which may be rendered mutually beneficial to the maritime and inland parts. How far the benefit may be promoted, by an union of jurifdiction, deserves to be confidered.

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IN

CHA P. VII.

Monuments and relics of the Indians.

N describing any country, it is natural to make fome inquiry concerning the vestigies of its ancient inhabitants. It is well known that the original natives of this part of America, were not ambitious of perpetuating their fame by durable monuments. Their invention was chiefly employed either in pro-. viding for their fubfiftence, by hunting, fifhing and planting, or in guarding against and furprising their enemies. Their houfes and canoes were conftructed of light, and perishable materials. Their mode of travelling was to take all poffible advantage of water carriage, and to shorten diftances, by tranfporting their birchen canoes across the necks of land which were convenient for the purpose. Their manner of taking fish was either by entangling them in wears, or dipping for them in fcoopnets, or ftriking them with fpears. They took quadrupeds in traps or pit-falls, or fhot them, as well as birds, with arrows. For the conftruction of their canoes and houses they used hatchets, chiffels, and gouges of ftone. To cook their meat, they either broil

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