Journal

Abandoned, often extensive earthworks greeted travelers like the Forman pioneer party at numerous locations along rivers and inland. These added to an impression of awe with respect to the wonders of the trans-Allegheny West. Numerous theories arose as to their origin, including theories of Biblical lost tribes and extinct pre-Columbus European settlers. Eurocentric observers were very slow to acknowledge that Native Americans of the Mississippian cultures had created these cities, towns, and monuments long before Columbus set foot in in the Americas. See end note for the book’s Introduction, page xvii, par. 3, line 3.

The United States gained the Northwest Territory as part of the Treaty of Paris, ending the Revolutionary War. During its early years it was a dangerous borderlands, marred by war and terror, and characterized by Indian and residual imperial English disputations of American sovereignty. The Forman pioneers dared to travers this region at a time when Indians dominated on the ground. See end note for the book’s Introduction, page xviii, par. 1, line 1.

See end note for the book’s Introduction, page xviii, par. 1, lines 6-7. 

Prior to the early 19th century the Ohio River was closed to navigation during most winter months. Accordingly, the Forman pioneer party’s progress in 1790 halted until the river was again navigable. Once the Ohio River had been tamed with series of locks, the river’s freezing has become a rare novelty. See end note for the book’s Introduction, page xviii, par. 2, line 1. 

An active boat-building industry, sprung up around Pittsburgh and points down-river, provided a principle means of transportation for riverine settlers and traders. Others included keelboats, capable of being poled on return trips up-river, and adaptations of Indians’ canoes. The Forman pioneer party included a 70 feet long flatboat and a keel boat. See end note for the book’s end note for the book’s Introduction, page xix, par. 3, line 1.