[Footnote: Clay MSS., Letter to George Nicholas, Baltimore, Sept.

3, 1796.] Even in the few towns the inhabitants preferred that their children should follow agriculture rather than become handicraftsmen; and skilled workmen such as carpenters and smiths made a great deal of money, so much so that they could live a week on one day's wage.

[Footnote: Michaux, pp.

96, 152.] The River Trade.
In addition to farming there was a big trade along the river.

Land transportation was very difficult indeed, and the frontiersman's whole life was one long struggle with the forest and with poor roads.