"The country is covered for hundereds of miles with impenetrable woods. The leaves which fall from the trees mixing with the long grass which grows under them form together a kind of moss and the rain which falls at certain seasons in great quantities cannot penetrate so as to be absorbed by the soil; the consequence is that it remains on the surface clear water. It is remarrkable that in these waters fish abound... From the rivers and these woods Vaours arise which thicken the air like fogs. Gammercy in respect of its produce is very valuable."

JOSEPH FARINGTON JANUARY 23RD 1801