209

195
1837
19.6 The times continue to be difficult not much alteration for the better. Our market is very high in all the necessaries of life, Wood 7.75 per cord, Flour 10.75 and little or no sale for oil & candles. Many of the poorer class without employment. Without an alteration for the better before winter many I fear will suffer for want.
And if we look toward the country, the mind is not relieved, for a universal complaint is heard in every part of the United States. The factories are mostly stopped, & thousands are left destitute of employment. The failures in the seaports have not yet ceased. The Banks held their specie from circulation. And finally threats are heard of a civil War. What the end may be is entirely out of the reach of a human being to conceive.

25th The weather of late inclines to be uncommonly wet for this season of the year, but very little warm summer like weather; the grass looks finely, but vegetation generally is backward. About the time of shearing the sheep the weather was cold and rainy, which caused considerable suffering with the sheep. I should think 200 died with cold and wet & being poor & weak.

1st 7 mo To weather for two or three days has been quite warm, more like summer than we had it before. Vegetation has taken a start, everything of the production of the earth look finely.

Blue fish has become plentiful as they were formerly, they will weigh from 4 to 14 lbs. It is thought they have driven away the [???] as there is none of that kind of fish to be seen.