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 strange land; but they were able to borrow some money from the United States' branch bank to enable them to proceed on to Philadelphia.

23rd.—At nine this morning I left the city of the plains, which will continue to flourish when other cities fade and die. It has now a population {198} of 6,000 white souls. How many blacks I know not.

At three, p. m., I ended this day's journey at Frankfort, the seat of government, and metropolis of Old Kentucky. This pleasant town stands in a fine valley, roomy enough to contain it, and but little to spare. Nature has fortified and shut it in with inaccessible rocks and hills all around, but the rocks are neither rough nor broken. The town boasts a good state, or parliament house, and prison, and a church or two, and altogether displays more taste and cleanliness than Lexington city. It is seated on the Kentucky river, navigable to the Ohio, and has the best inn or tavern which I have yet seen in the state. Here is all the accommodation I need. The rocks and hills, which now hang over me, seem as perpendicular as walls in some parts, and as though they were formed by art. I ought to mention passing through two neat and interesting baby towns, called Paris-town and George-town.[61] The land hereabouts, though there are few forced sales, is selling at one quarter its former price and value.

Sunday, 24th.—I left pleasant Frankfort at nine, a. m., and reached Shelbyville at four, p. m., a good-looking,