84

76)
1848

5m/o
The pressure of the times continues much the same, still there is reason to hope there will be change for the better before long. At present a large portion of the laborers, Mechanicks & others are idle and becoming very poor. In this town of a pleasant morning from 9 to 11 o'clock, to stand in a conspicuous situation, you may number 100 men standing about waiting to be called on to labour. There appears plenty of property of all descriptions, but no circulating medium to carry on the business with. Oil & Candles very dull market, or no market at all, and the price too low to afford any profit by importing the raw materials. The Coopers' Shops almost all shut up for want of a market for their Casks.

5m/o
The Spring so far as has passed has been cold & backward, the most of the time winter clothing (the outside Coat excepted) has been comfortable. Vegetation has advanced but slowly. Much rain and strong winds have generally prevailed, which has caused the out doors business to be tedious and troublesome.
20th 5m/o
Rain set in in the morning & continued during the day. It proved a Cold storm, wind ENE.
17th
Thomas & Eunice left here intending to attend the Yearly Meeting in New York. And Mary Swift.
20th
Nathl. [NATHANIEL] Barney left here to day inteding to attend the yearly meeting at New York.
1st 6m/o or 31st 5m/o
They all arrived home in good health.

2d 6m/o
This is the 3rd day the weather has been like summer but it has been very cold for the season & very wet it is said by many that more rain has fell within six months than ever was noticed before in so short a time and at this season of the year.

2d 6m/o
Within a few days it has been discovered that abundance of Shad on the North side of the Island, are in large Shoals. A company of strangers that were acquainted with the business of catching them with Sceins [SKEINS] came here & have obtained many very many, which draws the attention of many, both from here, & from Cape Cod, so that it is said there are over a hundred Vessels and Boats in the business.