Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/203

 company, composed of polished military and mercantile gentlemen of New Orleans, many of whom are waiting for the troubling or rising of the waters, and consequent movement of the steam-boats. Board here, with five in a bed-room, is two and a quarter dollars per day, a shameful piece of extortion, when it is remembered that provisions of all kinds here, cost a mere trifle; yet in the hall, an immense dining-table seems crowded with good company. Notices, however, are posted in several rooms, by the landlord, stating, that unless gentlemen-boarders pay up, further credit will be discontinued.

26th.—I rode in a hackney coach to Shipping-port,[65] a sort of hamlet of Louisville, standing on the margin of the river, opposite to a flourishing new town on the other side, called Albion, in Indiana.[66] Counted from twelve to sixteen elegant steam-boats aground, waiting for water. Boarded and examined the Post-boy, which cost 50,000 dollars, and is intended only for passengers up and down the Ohio and Mississipi waters, containing fifty births or beds, a separate dining-room, a ladies' room, and state room, with a fine promenade at top, having three decks, with all necessary and elegant appurtenances. The boat called the United States, is much superior to the Post-boy, being of 700 tons burthen, a complete {202} floating hotel, little less than the London Tavern. The passage down from hence to Orleans is 75 dollars, a price which competition, and the unnecessary number of boats built, will greatly reduce. Entered and dined at a low (but the best) tavern in Shipping-port, intending, if I liked it, to board