The remnant of our pilgrimage since we left you at Mrs: Roberts’s door, stands thus— Monday Novr: 16. lodg’d at Trenton—Tuesday, at Mrs: Smith’s in Newark; where we found only the old lady and little Abby—Mrs: Charles Adams was in New-York— Wednesday morning we reached that place— The roads began to be deep and reminded us that we were quite late enough in the season— Two days at New-York— Then sailed in one of the Providence Packets— Tuesday Novr: 24 arrived at Boston and the next day came out to Quincy— Just in time to keep thanksgiving with our parents, who are both well.—1 My wife and child the same—

George and his mother are heartily thankful to you for his coral—2 And I ought to be so too— And so I am; and would have told you as much, but that I did not make the discovery untill after we had left you

I commenced at New-York an arrangement for the discharge of J. B. Smith’s note— I shall probably take his lands, and may perhaps purchase more in the same neighbourhood—3 I have thoughts of making a settlement there, and removing with my family to that part of the Country— It is the most promising spot on the continent for enterprize and industry— What say you to joining me in the plan, and going with me?— Independence, thrift and sport—You can promise yourself in a high degree— Why should we wither away our best days, and sneak through life, pinch’d by penury, and yawning off existence over the black-letter, merely for the sake of a few luxurious indulgences in a large town?— Reflect upon it, and let me hear from you.— In the mean time I shall establish my temporary residence in Boston— Some sacrifice I have consented to make; but my stock of patience is not large, and will not last long—

At Boston I received from Mr: Murray the enclosed letter for you, together with your letter to me of 7. June, which you had sent under cover to him— I think he must have arrived in the United States by this time.4

Your mother desires me to pay you 21 dollars on her account for flour— Please to charge it therefore to my account, and pay yourself from any funds of mine in your hands.

Enclosed you will find a small scrap for Dennie; to whom remember me kindly—5 I hope to furnish him soon with a more liberal contribution— My time is yet very scant.

Your’s.

I have just now received your favor of the 28th: ult. with the enclosures; Dennie stepp’d in a moment after, and I gave him the fable, for which he thanks you. He desires me to add, that as he cannot expect, from your present, unsettled State, you will have much time to bestow in producing original matter, he will be grateful for any thing, you may Send him, from your stock on hand. I was gratified with Mr: Murray’s letter; it bespeaks the man we used to know, throughout. Moreover, I like his advice, in the concluding sentence. “Get married, love God, your Country, make money & keep it.” This is so much in unison with my apprehension of the whole duty of man, that I am a ready convert to the scheme—but then the means— You have suggested, at least a share of them, in the project you suggest offer for my consideration. I want but little time to look at it, for golden prospects, could not sooner tempt me, than rustic independence, thrift and Sport. If you can bring your mind to the 146 sacrifice of “luxurious indulgences,” and consent to penetrate the wilds of a new, unsettled Country, in quest of honest though homely independence, I should feel a pride in emulating such an example; indeed I think so much like you, on this subject, that I am ready at a short warning to embrace, with zeal & ardor, any practicable enterprize which, may justify a renunciation of my present, ill-requited labors in an ungracious profession. No more words—I am your man, for a new Country, & manual-labor— Head-work is bad business, and I never was fond of it. I will not more fully discuss this topic, now, but I pray you be explicit and until we have ripened our scheme, to the period of speedy execution, let it remain our own. My capital is chiefly in my hands & feet, and they are at your service. Love to all friends—

Your Brother