found in the book Travels in America Performed in 1806, for the purpose of exploring the rivers Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio, and Mississippi and ascertaining the produce and condition of their banks and vicinity, by Thomas Ashe, published in 1808.
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Letter 3, Pittsburg, October, 1806
Amusements
“In winter, carioling or sleying predominates; the snow no sooner falls, than pleasure, bustle, and confusion, banish business, speculation, and strife ; nothing is seen but mirth, and nothing is heard but harmony. All young men of a certain condition provide themselves with handsome carioles and good horses, and take out their favourite female friends, whom – with much dexterity they drive through the streets; calling on every acquaintance, and taking refreshment at many an open house. For the night, an appointment is generally made by a large party (for instance, the company of twenty or thirty carioles) to meet at a tavern several miles distant; to which they go by torch-light, and accompanied by music. On arriving there, the ladies cast off their fur pelisses, assume all their beauties, and with the men commence the mazy dance. This is followed by supper, songs, catches, and glees. When the voice of Prudence dispels the charm, they resume their vehicles, and return delighted with the moments which they have thus passed : — this is repeated frequently during the snow.”
Square Dancing in the 1800s 