In October of the same year, Colonel Bouquet granted similar terms to another deputation of Shawnees, Delawares, &c., at Tuscarawas.

The best account of the general transactions of the war of that era, which I have seen, is contained in a “History of the Late War in North America, and Islands of the West Indies.  By Thomas Mante, Assistant Engineer, &c., and Major of a Brigade.  London, 1772:”  1 vol. quarto, 552 pages.  I am indebted to Governor Clinton for my acquaintance with this work.

10th.  I have employed the last three days, including this, very diligently on my Indian vocabulary and inquiries, having read but little.  Too exclusive a devotion to this object is, however, an error.  I have almost grudged the time I devoted to eating and sleeping.  And I should certainly be unwilling that my visitors should know what I thought of the interruptions created by their visits.  It is true, however, that I have gained but little by these visits in the way of conversation.  One of my visitors, a couple of days since, made me waste a whole morning in talking of trifling subjects.  Another, who is a gourmand, is only interested in subjects connected with the gratification of his palate.  A third, who is a well-informed man, has such lounging habits that he remained two hours and a half with me this morning.  No wonder that men in office must be guarded by the paraphernalia of ante-rooms and messengers, if a poor individual at this cold end of the world feels it an intrusion on his short winter days to have lounging visitors.  I will try to recollect, when I go to see others, that although I may have leisure, perhaps they are engaged in something of consequence.

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11th.  History abounds in examples of excellence.—­Xenophon says of Jason, “All who have served under Jason have learned this lesson, that pleasure is the effect of toil; though as to sensual pleasures, I know no person in the world more temperate than Jason.  They never break in upon his time; they always leave him leisure to do what must be done.”

Of Diphridas, the same author observes, “No bodily indulgence ever gained the ascendant over him, but, on the contrary, he gave all his attention to the business in hand.”  What admirable maxims for real life, whether that life be passed in courts or camps, or a humble sphere!

12th.  I finished reading Thiebault’s “Anecdotes of Frederick the Great,” which I had commenced in December.  This is a pleasing and instructive work.  Every person should read it who wishes to understand the history of Prussia, particularly the most interesting and important period of it.  We here find Frederick I. and II., and William depicted to the life.  We are made acquainted also with national traits of the Russian, English, German, and French character, which are nowhere else to be found.

13th.  The ancient Thracians are thus described by Herodotus:  “The most honorable life with them is a life of indolence; the most contemptible that of a husbandman.  Their supreme delight is war and plunder.”  Who, if the name and authority were concealed, but would suppose the remarks were made of some of the tribes of the North American Indians?