HENRY ASHBY } _Chainmen_. RICHARD TAYLOR } ROBERT ASHBY _Marker_. W^M LINDSY _Pilot_. [Footnote 15: This probably has reference to some pernicious weeds unfavorable to tillage and injurious to grazing animals, as St. John's wort. Farmers believe that this, and certain other noxious weeds which occasionally invade pasture fields, cause sore mouths and legs in horses and horned cattle and affect the milk of cows grazing where it grows.] Wednesday 16^{th} We set out early & finish'd about one oClock & then Travell'd up to Frederick Town where our Baggage came to us we cleaned ourselves (to get Rid of y. Game[16] we had catched y. Night before) & took a Review of y. Town & thence return'd to our Lodgings where we had a good Dinner prepar'd for us Wine & Rum Punch[17] in Plenty & a good Feather Bed[18] with clean Sheets which was a very agreeable regale. [Footnote 16: This facetious term "game," referring to his misfortune the first night he lodged in the valley, has a touch of humor in it; and while it is true that Washington was not given to punning or indulging in witticisms, he was not deficient in imagination or unappreciative of the exercise of this talent on suitable occasions by others. He knew that good humor minimized most of the petty annoyances of life.] [Footnote 17: The office and art of the surveyor were held in high esteem by the early settlers. It is, therefore, not surprising that the people for whom surveys were executed, made special efforts to give the surveying parties good dinners, even going so far as to set before them "wine and rum punch." I may add here that there is neither tradition nor record that Washington was ever known to have been indiscreet from youth to age in the use of wine or strong drinks.] [Footnote 18: Feather beds, a great luxury in former times, have nearly gone out of use among well-to-do people. By the wealthy, as well as by the laborers, they were once a greatly prized comfort and often devised by will as valuable inheritances. Hair, cotton and spring mattresses have displaced them from popular favor, but "clean sheets" belong to the category of comforts in even early times and must be a delight and joy forever.] Thursday 17^{th} Rain'd till Ten oClock & then clearing we reached as far as Major Campbells one of there Burgesses about 25 Miles from Town. nothing Remarkable this day nor Night but that we had a Tolerable good Bed lay on. Fryday 18^{th} We Travell'd up about 35 Miles to Thomas Barwicks on Potomack[19] where we found y. River so excessively high by Reason of y. Great Rains that had fallen up about y. Allegany Mountains as they told us which was then bringing down y. melted Snow & that it would not be fordable for severall Days it was then above Six foot Higher than usual & was rising we agreed to stay till Monday we this day call'd to see y. Fam'd Warm Springs[20] we camped out in y. field this Night Nothing Remarkable happen'd till sonday y. 20^{th}