Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/27

21 entablishment in process of time. A bank was established here in 1807, with a deposit of an 100,000 dollars, from which essential benefits have been derived. There is a post-office, two printing offices, and two weekly papers.

Ascending the Muskingum from Marietta, at the distance of five miles, is Captain Devol's ship-yard, where a number of large vessels have been built, and one of them more than 200 tons. The workmanship and timber of these vessels are said not to be inferior to any that have been built in the United States. Their frames were black walnut, which is said to be as durable as the live oak and is much lighter. The plank of these vessels are said to be of an unusual length and firmness. The forests here abound with the best of timber, such as white oak, black walnut and locust, and the prodigious height and size of the trees, admit of the selection of any dimensions which can be wanted. Excellent masts of yellow pine are easily procured. Iron-ore is found, in places, in almost every part of the State, and a sufficiency of bar iron can be obtained without difficulty. But the want of a greater number of furnaces and forges, keeps up the price higher than it otherwise would be. As much tar as can be wanted is brought down the Alleghany river. The people can, with ease, raise as much hemp and flax as would be sufficient to supply the whole of the United States.