[18] the farmers Expectations and People in general Experienc'd the want of hay Equal to that of Bread; the smiling spring has at last return'd but brings nothing with it as yet substantial for the present support of Man. I speak not this of myself, but of many of my Neighbours; I thank God I have a Competency at present, but the times forbode greater distress ahead. I have in the Conclusion settled my Business here and am now about to remove. I lately rec'd a kind letter from Sally Clark1 which merits my thanks and well wishes towards her. I shall Endeavour to write to her before I leave this Place if Possible. Silas2I'm afraid has forgot me. William3 has wrote very kindly whom I shall answer the first opp'ty. It wou'd give me infinite Satisfaction when you write if you wou'd Cast off the formal method of arranging your letters and write more of the Particular Circumstances attending your welfare; how you get along thro this troublesom World, what diffculties you meet with how times and seasons are with you what alterations their is in the neighbourhood since I left Jemsagg—the smallest Circumstances will awake my memory and Present to my view the seasons when I left my native home. Fanny and the little ones are well, Little Jemmy says I must tell Granny Angus he has got a little fife and trumpet and a penknife and he Can Sing a Great many tunes. Fanny intended to write by this Conveyance but we are so much hurried to get things in order for moving that she scarcely has time tho Earnestly desires to be remembered to you and all the family. I believe now the Enchantment is broke for I find that some of my letters have lately Reach'd you. I once thought that you never meant to write to me again after writing so many and not receiving any answer but without doubt they went thro a firey tryal. The Policy and Craft of Jealous minded People is beyond Description. I have enclos'd letter I had lately (and the only one I ever had) from Rebekah Nathan4 which you are at liberty to read. I think myself Greatly injur'd by that Person: in the first Place when I left St. Johns I was in
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1 That is, his younger sister Sarah, who married Joseph Clark.
2 His younger brother. ‘Slow as Uncle Silas’ was a proverb at Jemseg. and doubtless applied to correspondence as well as to other things.
3 His youngest brother, a cripple from birth, but a very intelligent schoolmaster.
4 Apparently, Nathan's Rebecca is meant. Nathan Garrison, the next younger brother of Abijah, married Rebecca Ansley. There was a ‘Rebekah Joseph’ also in the family.
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