A KNOWLEDGE of [...] under every appearance, is not only pleasing, but in many respects useful and necessary. The following account, as it is a discovery made within the limits of our own country, and confirmed by them who were eye-witnesses may with great propriety deserve our notice.—Two gentlemen of un­doubted veracity, viz. Capt. JAMES BUCK­LAND, and Mr. JOHN FIELDING, liv­ing in some part of Virginia, agreed to tra­vel into the western parts of this vast coun­try, to explore the regions which belong to these United States, which are yet unknown [Page 4] to us. On the 19th of June, 1785, they took their departure. Each of them were armed with two pistols and a long sharp dagger. They were attended by two strong and hearty slaves, armed with muskets.— Both the gentlemen very well understood the rules of Trigonometry, on which are founded the principles of sailing and survey­ing. And carrying with them a compass, they were able to keep their course directly, and pretty well able to determine the dis­tance they travelled. The slaves carried as much provision as they could conveniently, with a considerable quantity of salt, for the sake of cooking venison and other food which they might kill on their way. They passed with much difficuly, the lofty Allegany Mountains. On these mountains they made several important discoveries of Gold and Silver mines, an account of which will be published soon. After leaving these grand and lofty mountains, they travelled 73 days without seeing the least appearance, or even tract of any human being. The country was diversified with hills, mountains, vallies and beautiful rivers. Trees of all kinds and sizes. The large trees grew very tall, and the ground was often covered with amazing thickets of small pine, hemlocks and ivies. This diversity rendered the country agreea­able [Page 5] beyond description. They saw wild animals of almost every kind, many of which they killed, some for food and some for cu­riosity, being such as they never saw nor heard of before. At length, having travel­ed several miles on rising ground, they came to the summit of an high mountain. Here they stopped, and it was the most beautiful prospect imaginable: on every side as far as they could possibly see, they beheld the green groves waving by the gentle gales of wind. Here they spent several hours in refreshing themselves, and viewing the ex­tensive country on every side. They took notice that the ground appeared to be trod­den, and frequente [...] as they supposed, by wild beasts. As they were setting out to go forward, they discovered a small foot path to lead down the mountain between two high ridges of rocks. They were surprised at this, and doubted whether it could be made by wild animals; but as there were no marks of feet, they were at a loss about it. They were fearful about entering, al­though it was directly in their way, lest they should fall among some dens of wild beasts, which might be too strong for them. After some deliberation, they considered that a [...]irit of cowardice did not become adven­ [...]rers. They reviewed their arms and am­munition, [Page 6] and resumed so much courage as they thought sufficient to encounter the most terrible beasts of the wilderness, and then proceeded down the mountain in the follow­ing manner, viz. One slave first, then the two gentlemen, and the other slave behind. After they had proceeded about half a mile the path grew brighter; but as the ground was hard and dry, no appearance of feet could be discovered. This descent was truly venerable and august. On each side were the two ridges of rocks at the distance of four or five rods:—Each of them were co­vered with high trees, likewise small pines and ivies hung bending over the narrow valley in which the path was:—each side was covered incredibly thick with small shrubs:—the taller trees, covered with leaves and thick branches, bent over the valley so that they shut out the rays of the sun. In this situation the travellers not only admired the grandeur in which they were enclosed; but they were filled with anxieties concern­ing the path which still increased:—in this condition they proceeded in a gradual des­cent about two miles and an half in a west­ern direction, though in several places the grandeur of the valley was increased by small turnings and circular windings. Then they were surprised with an opening; the ridge [Page 7] of rocks on the right hand continued, but that on the left did not.

A large extended level country now open­ed to their view, and the sun being in the western hemisphere, a new day seemed to usher in upon them, which struck them with an agreeable surprise.—In this condition they stood gazing for a moment, then re­collected the path which had by this time become much beaten. About four rods from them they saw the path turn to the right hand towards the ridge o [...] rocks which was almost perpendicular. They then dis­covered a hole in the rock several feet square: they stood still for some time viewing it, as they supposed it was a den for wild beasts, when they were supprised with a shape com­ing out from the rock:—it appeared like a grave old man:—his head was bald, his beard was long and white which covered his breast:—his body was covered with furr and skins of beasts.—He seemed surpri­sed to see them, as they were also to see him. —At length, with a grave and solemn voice he spoke. Friends! Human Forms! From whence, or who are you? Are you Angels or Men? One answered we are men,—he then waved his hand in token of friendship, and pleasure semed to sit on his countenance:

With joy, said he, I once more behold [Page 8] human shapes.—The travellers stood almost speechless for some time, and when he mov­ed towards them, they turned for fear, and made off from him:—at which the old man called with tears in his eyes;—whether do you flee—leave me not—I am an innocent Hermit, I cannot hurt you—I live in this Cave whose mouth you see: they then stood 'till he came and shook hands with them, and expressed such emotions of joy as are difficult to describe.—The Hermit then con­ducted them to his Cave; they were some­what reluctant at first about entering it— but they were however prevailed upon so that they followed him into the Cave, the mouth of which was ornamented on the out­side with trees and thick ivies, which shaded it;—before it was the wide level country beforementioned, covered with beautiful trees, the inside contained several nice a­partments, all which seemed to be dug out of a solid marble rock; the walls on the in­side were adorned with many curious figures of sculpture;—the upper part of the Cave was an arch which gave a small light like a sort of wood we call light-wood or fox fire, which added lustre to the Cave. The Her­mit seemed overjoyed with his new guests, and their curiosity was much satisfied with him.—He seated them on several smooth [Page 9] stones at the side of the Cave;—he then presented them with some bark, roots, a­corns, and several kinds of fruit unknown to them.—They partook of his bounty, and were pleased with his simplicity both of man­ners and diet. They also produced a piece of venison which they had; and desired the Hermit to partake; but he told them very mildly, that he chose not to eat any flesh, that his diet consisted only of such simple food as he had set before them.—After they had eaten, the Hermit said it is night, you will not leave me,—they answered that they were travellers and must depart early in the morning.—Having now became some ac­quainted, they asked him his place of nativ­ity and how he came there;—the Hermit very freely began and related as follows. My story says he is mournful; but it may be worth your hearing. I was born in Lon­don (as I have been very exact to keep my age) 227 years ago.—My father was a me­chanick, who placed his affections greatly on me; he put me under the care of a pri­vate gentleman to be educated, where he kept me 'till about 19 years of age, about which time I formed a close connection with a Nobleman's daughter. We made the most solemn protestations to each other of mutual friendship:—When her parents be­came [Page 10] [...] and refu [...]ed our seeing each other [...] long after, the lady was taken sick [...]nd died, at whose remembrance I cannot refrain from tears.

I, like a disconsolate person as I was, rov­ed through different parts of the kingdom: At length I went on board a vessel bound to Italy. Soon after our departure, the mas [...] and all the crew except two, were lost in a violent storm. We being unable to ma­nage the vessel, let her drive. After several days we came to land, but whither we know not. The country was uninhabited, which pleased me the more, as solitude was what I sought. I left my companions and betook myself to the wilderness. I took from on board the vessel a gun and all the ammuniti­on I could find, which I found to be of great importance to me, as I had the good for­tune to procure skins of animals which serv­ed to cloath me tolerably well. At last Hea­ven brought me to this place where you found me.—Here I have lived alone in contem­plation of the works of nature, and adoring him who preserves me. The reason of my long life and good constitution I cannot ac­count for, only by the blessing of Heaven, and living on such simple food as I set be­fore you. Oft I ascend this winding vale, [Page 11] through which I thought you came, to the [...] of the mountain. The beasts of the forest all play before me. Nothing offers violence to me, all the animals are friendly to me, and none durst enter my Cave. Thus the Hermit ended, after which Capt. Buck­land informed him of the present state of the nation, how some of them had left their na­tive country, and come to this, which is now called America. At which account the Hermit was not a little surprised.—The e­vening being spent, the Hermit could not go to rest without paying divine service to his Creator and Preserver, he gave thanks that he once more had an interview with hu­man beings, asked for protection and blessings.

The next day they did not depart as they had proposed, but being so much pleased, they tarried several days. At their depar­ture they used their utmost endeavours to persuade the Hermit to come off with them; but he refused, and said he had been ex­ [...]eding happy in their company, and could [...]ve entertained them longer; as for leav­ [...]g his Cave he could not, he thought Hea­ [...]n had provided that place for his dwel­ [...]g, in which he ever expected to reside [...]ile he lived in this world. Notwithstand­ [...] his reluctance to leave his Cave, he was [...]eedingly affected with their leaving him, [Page 12] he wept like a child, and taking Capt Buck­land by the hand, he embraced him, wish­ing him prosperity, after which they de­parted.

☞ Capt. Buckland gives particular di­rections for any one to go and find the Hermit, and satisfy his own curiosity.