market. About seventy miles from its mouth in a most romantic situation is placed the town of Frankfort, the seat of the Legislature of the state. From its origin to where it emptics into the Ohio, the Kentucky, besides Red and Dick rivers, two considerable streams, receives an infinity of smaller ones, some of which by interlocking with the head waters of Rock Castle and Salt rivers, pour their refreshing currents in every direction. This beautiful stream is 160 yards wide at its mouth, and is navigable one hundred and thirty miles.

HARROD'S CREEK,

Is a valuable stream emptying into the Ohio, nine or ten miles above Louisville, where it is forty yards wide. About a fourth of a mile from its mouth, is a natural fall of 6 or 7 feet, occasioned by the oblique direction of the rock forming its bed, which dips at an angle of 7o. It has been reported that like many others in this state, it has found a subterraneous passage,

C

through which a great part of the water flows, without crossing the falls.

BEAR-GRASS,*

Which gives its name, to the fertile and wealthy settlement through which it passes, is, a considerable mill stream, affording a plentiful supply of water, eight or ten months in the year. It rises by eight different springs, 10 miles east of Louisville, that unite and form the main body of the creek within two miles of that place. This like the preceding one, sometimes disappears, pursuing a secret course for a quarter of a mile together subsequently emerging with a considerable force, on its banks are several grist mills and one for paper. It enters the Ohio, (to which for the last half mile it runs nearly parallel) opposite Louisville, leaving between it and the river, an elevated slip of land, covered with

* A Bridge was thrown over this creek near its mouth during the last summer, but owing to the miserable mode of forming the abutments, they in a few weeks gave way, and the superstructure was consequently precipitated into the water. This is a lesson to those whose business it is to superintend such matters, not to be so economical, and for the future instead of employing a Carpenter or Stone Cutter, to have the advice and assistance of a professional Engineer, in all public works of this nature. Where the creek crosses the main turnpike, road leading to Lexington about two miles from the town is another one, constructed of stone that is neat and durable.

large trees, that affords a delightful and shady promenade to the citizens during the heats of

summer.

At the mouth of this Creek, is cne of the best harbors on the Ohio, perfectly safe and commodious for all vessels under 500 tons burthen, there being 12 feet water constantly found here during the greatest depression of the river. It is from this harbor or basin that the contemplated Canal will be supplied with its destined element, which may perhaps produce a beneficial effect, by quickening its motion and that of Bear-grass, whose sluggishness during the summer, is, I have no doubt, productive of consequences injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the town.

SILVER CREEK,

A small stream of not much valuc, emptying into the Ohio below Clarksville. In its banks however, are found large quantities of Copperand Alum might be produced with little ex

as,

pense, from the schist which forms the rock through which it runs.

SALT RIVER,

Is a very valuable one, navigable nearly sixty five miles. It is formed by three principal streams and an infinity of smaller branches, the most northern of the former being called Floyd's fork, the southern Rolling and Beach forks. On the latter is situated Bardstown, the seat of the Catholic Bishop of the state, and the residence of a number of erudite men, who are occupied in establishing several institutions of learning. On the waters of this stream some of which interlock with those of the Kentucky and Green rivers are an infinity of Salt Licks, whence it receives it's name. The three principal branches which wind in a westerly course, to the Ohio, unite about sixteen miles from, and empty into it twenty miles below Louisville.

This beautiful river is nearly one hundred and sixty yards wide at its mouth, and from the

quantity of Salt that, with proper attention and chemical knowledge, might be produced from the country it intersects, may be regarded as one of the most important of the state.

THE FALLS.

The falls of the Ohio are caused by a body of Limestone that stretches across its bed, operating like a dam upon the river above, which finding its course interrupted, continues to swell, until rising superior to the obstruction, it rushes down the declivity by a thousand different passages, to the lower end of Rock Island.

A line drawn from the point of Bear-grass creek to the lower end of Jeffersonville, crossing the river obliquely, and one drawn from Mill Creek to the lower point of Rock Island, will include between them what are properly termed the Rapids, for although the rock extends below Sandy Island, yet on its south side it is sufficiently excavated to form a deep channel while on the north it is considerably more elevated, allowing boats to pass in high water only, and when the river is low, it is perfectly dry.