Subject: African Americans
From Boxes 1 & 2

-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- [Addressed to]                        Mr. Elijah Grant                                     Colebrook                                     Conn. [Connecticut] One of sister Mary Grant’s letters wh. [which] my children may like to look over  She was then 22 yrs. old                                     Forsyth. Geo. [Georgia] May 29, 1833 My dear Parents,             A long time has again elapsed since I have written to, or received any intelligence from you.  Aunt & Miss Hubbard left here the 28th of Apr. & I suppose, if prospered they are now in, or near, New Eng [New England].  I received a letter from them written in Lexington, N.C. [North Carolina] 350 miles from Forsyth.             The weather is very warm here now, I think about as warm as any part of the season at home.  I usually carry an umbrella to screen me from the sun  The nights are pretty cool, & the evenings & mornings, when pleasant or clear are very fine.  I have taken one morning walk, but I generally keep my room after supper.  I rise with the sun usually, & retire before ten.  In this family, we breakfast a little past six, dine about one, & have supper about seven.  I should prefer supper an hour & half earlier, but am pleased with the regularity of our meals. – I think vegetation two months in advance of Conn [Connecticut].  What time there are the peach & apple tress in blossom? Strawberries began to be red the last of April though not ripe.  Raspberries are now in their best state.  Mr. Lumpkin has a fine supply.  We have them in pies, or in milk for dinner.  Peas, beans beets, & Irish potatoes are now abundant.  Some of the potatoes are quite grown.  A few days since we had some green apple dumplins [dumplings] for dinner.  Plumbs begin to be ripe.  Peach trees are loaded with fruit.  Next month they will begin to ripen.  So much for food & vegetations.  One thing more.  I said something in one of my letters about the variety of meat & bread at out table, I think you might gain an incorrect idea from it.  These are all we ever have.  I think the difference between this, & other boarding houses is that all or almost all the variety we ever have, is on the table every meal.  I sometimes feel tired of hot bread, fresh meats, etc.  Of late, we have had some cold wheat bread on the table.  A great many live mostly to eat & dress in this state, I think.             May 30 Wednes. eve.             I believe I have written to you respecting the scarlet fever prevailing here.  The sickness still continues, & often proves fatal.  Today the funeral of a young man was attended, & yesterday two children were buried.  This young man had been sick about four days.  The first case of sickness was about March 1, a wagoner was brought here sick in the evening & died that night.  Soon two little negroes in the family where the man died were violently seized, & each within 24 hours was a corpse.  The physicians knew not how to account for the disease. Some thought it was the cholera, & some that the children were poisoned.  One child was dissected, which satisfied them the children were not poisoned.  The first symptoms are vomiting coldness of the extremities, or fever, if death soon ensues, spasms usually attend the dying agonies.             There have been 18 deaths in this village, more, many more than have occurred since the settlement of Forsyth [Georgia].  This disease prevails in various parts of the state, & in Alabama.  Some of the most eminent physicians do not hesitate to pronounce the disease, the real, Asiatic Cholera.  Indeed, quite as much alarm prevails as did last summer in New Eng [England].  Parents who had sent their children here to school, have sent for them, & some who live in the village have feared to send their children to school.  It is thought the number of scholars would have been 50 greater, had there been no unusual sickness.  I do not write this my dear parents, to alarm you, but I thought should I have the disease, & not recover, you would prefer I should write just what is felt by the community.  I have not been afraid at all, nor do I now suffer from fear, yet I feel, that I know not what a day may bring forth.  I have been exposed by being with the sick considerably, but am still well.  I do not yet regret coming here, though the prospects of the school are nothing so favorable as they were. Mr. Parsons now assists me three hours & a half a day in my school.  I have about 40 pupils.  Many of them have been sick, five of them are now so.  Some of them are rather difficult to manage, though they generally do well.  Scholars here have less encouragement<s> to study than with us.  Parents, & other members of families are not readers, particularly the female part of community, & often undervalue education.  They feel that they [confer...?] a favor on teachers to send their children [to?] school, & some easily take offence, & remove their children.  We must, however, remember that this county has been settled but ten y[ea]rs.  It is the testimony of all whom I have heard speak on the subject, that there is a gradual improvement in many respects every year.  There is less fighting, less swearing less Sab. [Sabbath] breaking, (the profanation of the Sab. [Sabbath] is now very lamentable) & much less of the vice of intemperate drinking.  At a recent meeting of the Tem. Soc. [Temperance Society] 20 new members were added.  I hope & think our school will do something towards raising the standards of education.             Next Sab. [Sabbath] a Sab. school is to [be] organized.  You may wonder why this has not been done before.  I know of <of> no justifiable reason.  Parents generally are not interested.  Sab. schools have been opened two or three times here but not succeeding well, have been relinquished.  Some professors of religion openly say they are opposed to Sab. schools.  I know not why they are opposed.  There are this season to be two schools, one in the Meth. Soc. [Methodist Society] the other Bap. [Baptist] & Pres. [Presbitarians] united.  The Meth. [Methodist] school will be much the largest.  How does the Sab. school in Colebrook flourish?  Where or in what part of the bible are they studying?  Do you recite the lesson at home Sat evening, together as you did last winter I was at home?  Who teaches the various schools in town?  Is Elizabeth Rockwell teaching?  Is Louisa R married? June 2.  I received a letter from Aunt & Miss H. written by, Miss H. last evening.  It was May 18, about 35 miles from Charlottesville, Va. [Virginia]  They had then been detained by impassable streams about a week within five miles of the private family in which they stayed.  Not a word said how Aunt endured the fatigue of the journey, only at one time she was unable to proceed, & at another she feared the damp weather. I know it is trying to her health to ride to far, but I hope in the end it might be no injury to her health.             They spent a day at Charlottesville [Virginia] & visited the University also Jefferson’s seat at Monticello three miles from C. [Charlottesville]  With the situation of his seat they were delighted , but the place is now going to ruins His grave is surrounded by a stone wall, in the woods, & is a sorry looking place.  It was a disappointment to be prevented from proceeding on their way.  I do wish you would both write to me.  I suppose you have a great many cares, & I will be contented that your letters be rather few, but you can influence the children to write.  I want to know all about you, & my brothers & sisters, relatives & neighbors.  I love them all.  Tell them so.  Does Mr. Holden live with you yet.  What hired help have you?  How is your health?  That you may live to the glory God here, & when your [hole in letter.?..] in this vale of tears is run, be [admitted?] through the redemption [hole in letter.?..] Christ, to Heaven, is the desire of your daughter.                                                                                                 Mary [Mary Grant]             Abigail, you will be 13 yrs. [years] old, before this letter reaches you?  Do you grow as your years increase, in whatsoever is lovely, & good report?  Pay great attention to forming good habits, habits of self government.  Do what ever you do, well  To do right is to promote the greatest happiness & suffer yourself to do nothing you feel to be wrong.  What books do you read?  I hope I shall see you, & all my friends again.              Do you feel that you have been born again, born of the spirit, & is it now your care that your body be a fit temple for the residence of the Spirit.  My dear sister, will you write, & tell me.             From your affectionate sister,                                                 Mary -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- [Transcription: original not in collection] [Addressed ]                        Caroline Grant                                     Forsyth [Georgia], Nov. 22, 1833 My dear Parents,             Some time has elapsed since I have addressed a letter directly to you, though I believe I have written to some member of the family as often as once in six weeks.  I have received no letter from Conn. [Connecticut] since I last wrote to brother Phelps.  My health has been uninterruptedly good, & it is a time of general health in this region of country – I received a letter from Elizabeth & Aunt [Zilpah Polly Grant Bannister] three weeks since.  E. [Elizabeth] says “Mother has not written me for a long, long time, & I sometimes almost think she has forgotten me.”  I have been gone so long, I fear it will be so with me, & that you will hardly know me.  No.  I do not think so, you think enough about me, & I am afraid you are sometimes too anxious.  I know I cannot keep my self from danger, & that if left to myself I should run into sin, but I still feel that if I do my part, I shall be upheld.  I have many friends here, indeed all of the people are kind, but still I do not exactly like to stay here.  I wish you to remember me at a throne of grace.  I do not know where I shall spend the coming year.  I have been in a state of suspense which you know is unpleasant.  I do not suffer myself to be anxious.  A merciful Providence has thus far caused my cup to overflow with blessing, & I can trust for the future.  My school closes in three weeks, the 13th of Dec.  The trustees of this school called on me to know my plans & wishes for the coming year.  I thought it would not be best for me to remain here, & I told I intended returning to the north in the spring, but that I should like to occupied in school till that time.  Some families are anxious I should stay next year.  About four weeks since I received a letter from Liberty Co. with an invitation to assist in an academy there.  My business there would be mostly teaching the management devolving on the gentleman & lady, who have the charge of the school.  They offered a salary of $400.  Board from 100 to 150 dollars.  Liberty [Georgia] is about 40 miles from Savannah.  Dr. Law, the physician of this place was raised there.  I consulted him about the healthiness of the place, he thinks it very healthy on sand hills, where the academy is situated, & he thinks it would not be hazardous to health to go there in the winter season, & stay a year.  They want my services Jan. 1.  In my reply, I stated to them that I did not feel at liberty to engage till I had consulted my friends &c.  Last Tues.  I received another communication from them wishing me to give them a decided answer to their proposal – stated my labors would not be great – that they were surrounded by a religious community that Aunt Z. [Zilpah Polly Grant Bannister] had many acquaintances there who would give me a kind reception & be interesting friends &c.  Aunt [Zilpah Polly Grant Bannister] had previously written me that Miss Eaton wished me to cooperate with her next year in her school in Philadelphia, & that she had rather I would be with her than in almost any other situation.  I had not heard from her.  I answered it in the negative.  Mr. Lumpkin says, if I stay in Geo. [Georgia] he thinks I can do better than that as to compensation.  I have a note against Mr. Parsons of $100 due Jan. 1.  The law of that state will not allow me to collect it under a years & I may never get it.  Mrs. P. [Parsons] resides in Lib. Co.[Liberty County] & I think I should be more likely to get it to spend a year there than otherwise.  I have sometime feared I should make some engagement which I, & my friends might in after time <would> regret.  I feel willing to go where I can be most useful.  If I am not engages in teaching school long I shall study geometry & algebra.  Write to me what you wish me to do, I wish to do something to remunerate Aunt [Zilpah Polly Grant Bannister] for what she has done for me.             They have engaged a music teacher here for next year – Gov. [Governor] Lumpkin is reelected to the grief of the nullifiers.  The legislature is now assembled at Milledgeville [Georgia].  The majority of the <Union> members are Union or Submission men.             I suppose thanksgiving time is coming soon, perhaps it is even now, if not you have many things to do.  I presume I should like very much to be with you.  I have looked over some papers to find when it was to be, but have not been able to ascertain.             Were the meteors which were seen in this state on the morning of the 13th of this month seen in New Eng. [New England]?  Did you see them?  The night was clear, calm & cool.  An unusual number of them were seen in early part of the night.  About two o’clock they began to appear in every direction.  Mr. & Mrs. Lumpkin rose about three, & most of the negroes.  They were much frightened.  About five a servant called me, & told me to look out at the window.  I did, & saw the meteors falling in every direction. I was reminded of a snow storm.  Some of them emitted light resembling lightening.  I went into Mrs. L’s [Lumpkin] room & found them almost dead with fright.  Many of them thought the day of judgment had really come.  The barn helper & negroes were crying.  Lord, have mercy upon me.  I told them I had read such things, that they <had heard> were not stars, & that I did not feel afraid.  It seems to <to> comfort them a good deal, Tom, a negro, said this was a warning to the sinners here.  Some say now, the wise may explain as they please, they shall still believe they were stars.  The appearance was very beautiful, most of them moved in an oblique direction, though some over head moved horizontally.  One in the east, particularly brilliant, moved ten or twelve degrees leaving a line of light which continued for a minute or two.  I thought from ten to twenty five might be seen in every direction at a time.  The family & others say there were a hundred, some say thousands at the same moment.  The[y] grew fainter & fainter till the light of day drowned them entirely.             Sat. morn. Nov. 23.  The weather is cool [a piece of the page is missing]...that at night & morning good fires are comfortable.  At noon & during the afternoon they are not necessary.  There has been but little rain, this month the weather is altogether milder than in New Eng. [England] during this month.  I perceive by the public papers you have had snow. – Christmas is a noted day in this region.  It is the time for removing, settling accounts, & for amusement.  The negroes, have that week mostly to themselves.  The whites would call those masters cruel, that would keep their slaves at labor during that time.  The slaves are proud of having rich & respectable masters & mistresses, also of fine carriages & horses, & houses.  I am sure in their present condition, it would not do to set them free.  They are exceedingly superstitious & ignorant.             Ms. Goddard expects one of her sisters on to spend the winter with her.  I received a letter from her a few days since.             I have just learned that the meteors were seen in Charleston & Savannah, & should think from the descriptions more splendid than here.  The mail closes soon.  That you may have wisdom to discharge all your duties, enjoy the presence of God, & be wholly devoted to this service, is the desire & prayer of your daughter, Mary. [Mary Grant]             Love to my brothers & sisters, cousins, neighbors & all. Write soon after receiving this, very soon. Direct to Forsyth [Georgia].  Abigail should write me all about school, Sab. [Sabbath] School, etc.            Farewell -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- [From typescript] [Note at top of first page of typescript]            Original not in file                                                                         Brig Waverly, April 10, 1839                                                                         Lat. 36% N. Lon. 54% W. Loved and honored Parents, This is the first time I have taken my pen since I addressed you a few lines immediately after embarking.  I intend in writing to you to mention incidents as they occur somewhat in a diary form.  I think I shall always consider it a great privilege as well as a duty, to write you every opportunity. The day we left Salem, April 1, many sails were in sight, & Cape Ann was to be seen the whole day, though as the sun was setting it was in appearance a small cloud, less than a man’s hand.  I supposed this was the last glimpse of our native land, yet I could not sufficiently recognize that for my country, to be affected with sorrow in taking a farewell view. —  Immediately after completing my letter to you, I went to my stateroom & there arranged things for sea sickness.  Mr. Burgess began to be sick directly, but remained on deck the whole P.M.  I remained below something more than an hour, & then went on deck, found all the passengers there & all a little sick, none so much so as Mr. B. [Burgess]  The sea was comparatively smooth.  Tues. & Wednes., the two following days, the sea was rough, the passengers were all sick, & scarcely left their berths.  Sea sickness makes persons almost perfectly helpless.  One loses all curiosity, & all desire.  The effort of speaking, or of even raising the hand, seems an almost insurmountable task.  Something must be accessible into which to vomit, & a glass of water for the purpose of washing the mouth, if possible to go through this herculean work.  I have read this description to Mr. B. [Burgess] he says it is hyperbolical, but I think it my own experience, & I surely thought it to be his.  An accompaniment of sea sickness, which is very disagreeable, is an exceedingly bad taste of the mouth.  We slept considerable during both day & night, took no nourishment, but a little water gruel, ocassionally tasted of an orange or lemon, with which our friends had bountifully supplied us. Thurs. morn.  The motion of the vessel was less, the sun, through one sky light shone pleasantly, & we all felt better.  Mr. B. [Burgess] hastened on deck.  I rose & washed my whole system in salt water (a practice I have since continued, & probably shall to the end of my voyage) & went on deck.  From that date I have been most of the time entirely free from sickness.  Thurs. noon I took dinner at table with Capt Ward, Mr. & Mrs. French, Mr. & Mrs. Hume.  This was the first time we had been to the table.  Mr. B. [Burgess] & Miss F [Cynthia Farrar] were not able to be present & they are still on the sick list.  Fri. & Sat. we had some social reading. Thurs. P.M. April 11.  A favorable breeze is wafting us along, & the day is beautiful.  The sea is less rough, so we are on deck more & suffer less from s. [sea] sickness.  I will go back to last Sab. [Sabbath]  It was warm, & mild.  Mr. B. [Burgess] had his mattress spread on deck, & I read to him most of the A.M.  I read some from the Bible, & several tracts.  About 3 o’clock, P.M. a little meeting was held in the cabin, opened by singing.  Mr. F. [French] led in prayer, Mr. H. [Hume] read a sermon by Chalmers, a little time was spent in conversation, & the pleasant meeting was closed by prayer, led by Mr. Hume.  Capt. Ward was present.  He is a member of the Bap. chh. [Baptist church] in Salem.  He is willing that all suitable measures should be taken to benefit the crew.  The number of persons on board is 20.  Missionaries, 7. Capt. & two mates, steward & cook, & eight sailors.  The steward & cook are colored men.  We have far more to do with the steward than any one else excepting the Capt.  The steward is good natured, active & kind, & rather neat.  None of the crew are pious.  The sailors were all strangers to the Capt., but he thinks them a very docile, respectable set.  Six of them are from Salem or its vicinity, & the others are foreigners, English I believe.  They spent considerable time in reading last Sab. [Sabbath] & almost entirely religious books.  We hope this may be a voyage they will love to remember in eternity – Mon. Tues. & Wednes. (the past three days) have been very rough, the rocking & tossing of the vessel have made us all dizzy, & about ½ of our company sick.  However we have had social reading on deck, each day.  We have in this way read John’s first Epistle, & about 50 pages in Malcom’s tour to India.  All our company sing, though Mr. F. [French] sings but very little.  Mr. B. [Burgess] is very fond of it, & sings well, & much.  I am glad of it. April 14.  Second Sabbath at sea.  There seemed a stillness & sacredness even on board ship, as if holy time was recognized.  Nothing is required to be done, that is not necessary.  To day seems like a Sab. [Sabbath] at home when there is severe sickness in the family.  None of our company are able to be up much, except Mr. & Mrs. French & myself, therefore we have no sermon read.  Mr. B. [Burgess] has his mattress on deck.  I sit by him, & read much of the time.  The sailors sent back the tracts Mrs. Hume sent them last Sab., [Sabbath] saying they were much obliged for them, & liked them.  The Capt. said they considered that a polite way of asking for more.  I sent them about a dozen, most of them stories such as Conversion of Mrs. Eleanor Emerson, Col. Gardiner, Bob, the cabin boy, etc.  We have evidence that they were read.  They are not well supplied with Bibles.  We regret we had not procured some cheap Bibles & Testaments to give them. April 15th Lat. 28% Long. 40%.  For several days the wind has been almost ahead (S.E.) & we have been compelled to go farther S. than is desirable.  This morning the ship tacked, & our direction is now N of E.  This change brings our state room on the windward side & in consequence our side of the ship is several feet higher than the leeward.  It is not quite as easy keeping our place in our berths.  Had some cheerful, pleasant conversation with our company, read an hour in the Ladies Wreath & heard Mr. French read in Malcom’s tour.  I feel almost impatient for Mr. Burgess’s recovery.  He does not relish his food, is feeble, & exceedingly averse to exertion.  He hardly walks at all. April 16.  As this day terminates the existence of Ips. Fem. Sem. [Ipswich Female Seminary] I have thought much of them, & my emotions are indescribable.  For years, associations, tender & strong, have been clustering round that institution, & what a day there, this must be.  I would praise the Lord for his blessing upon those who have assembled there to receive instruction for his loving kindness & tender mercy to the teachers, & for that providence which permitted me to enjoy its privileges.  May Aunt [Zilpah Polly Grant Bannister] be comforted & sustained, & I doubt not she will be.  While writing the above in the cabin, I was apprised by the tone of voice on deck, that something out of the common course had occurred.  I found the second mate had brought a dead flying fish, which probably flew into the ship the night before.  It was smaller than my idea of them, though the Capt. says it is of medium size.  He has seen them twice as large, but often smaller.  It measured 13 inches from the extremities of his wings, nine inches in length, & five in girth.  Its eyes were large, color on the back & sides silvery grey, under whitish.  We judged it to weigh 1 ½ of a pd. [pound]  It has a few small scales, & three small fins.  Its wings were inserted about an inch below its head. – Today for the first time, all our company sat at table together.  Mr. French had just been reading the temperance tale, “I am afraid there is a God,” which furnished a topic for conversation.  Those now, who are able to write, spend a little time each day in writing.  We may meet, the Capt. informed us, a returning ship within a few days.  This is uncertain.  After tea, we sung on deck some of the old tunes, Greenwich, Morality, Exhortation & several others.  The Capt. joined us a little.  He says he regrets every day that he did not take his wife & daughter with him.  His daughter is an only child, aged about 20.  We saw them in Salem. April 17.  Lat. 30% N. Lon. 44% W.  Favored with a fresh breeze & a beautiful day.  We spent an hour & a half, reading Murathee, with Miss [Cynthia] Farrar for our pundit.  All were present, except Mr. B. [Burgess], & I think he is better today.  We commenced reading Luke’s gospel.  They read Mark & Henry & his Bearer, while with Mr. Read.  We intend to have a lesson each day in Murathee.  Mr. Hume read aloud in Mr. Malcom.  Sung in the odeum after tea, & then had some pleasant conversation in the round house on deck.  The Capt. was communicative, as we ever find him, when disposed to converse.  He spends considerable time each day reading.  His age is about 45, has been to sea 25 years. April 18.  Warm & rainy.  Studied Murathee an hour & a half in the A.M.  We have but one lexicon, & one grammar, & four copies of Mark, so we take turns in using them in preparing our lessons.  We study in pairs, & keep the books in use most of the A.M.  At 2 o’clock P.M. we recite in a class, with Miss F. [Cynthia Farrar] for our teacher.  She is happy to be permitted to go to the heathen again.  She suffers every day from ill health & I fear always will.  She is resigned, & is able almost constantly to say the will of the Lord be done.  She knows something of the peace of a mind stayed on God.  She is one too, who keeps her mouth & tongue.  I have noticed this trait from my first acquaintance with her.  I am glad she is with us. April 19.  Mr. B. [Burgess] has walked with me on deck today for the first time.  He appears like one recovering from severe sickness.  The day is pleasant. April 20.  Lat. 31% Lon. 37%.  As the one who preaches will wish his time Sat., & as we all wish to have matters arranged preparatory to the Sab. [Sabbath], we this morning decided to have no Muratha lesson on Sat.  It is three weeks to day since we came from Boston to Salem.  That eve we received our private instructions, given principally by Dr. Anderson & Mr. Armstrong.  Dr. Anderson among other things remarked upon the frequent effect of sea sickness upon mind & body; of its making one unreasonable, petulant, & 0, he drew a sombre, deary picture.  I cannot tell how far his delineation operated as a preventive of such direful effects, yet I can say that three weeks, the time he mentioned, has passed, & I have not heard an unpleasant word, & I think each of our company could make the same remark.  I am happy, to say Mr. B. [Burgess] improves, though slowly; his appetite I think could be called good.  He, with Mr. & Mrs. F. [French] & myself sung an hour this P.M.  Today the ship tacked, again; our course since Mon. has been N. of E. now it is S. of E.  I looked on to see the seamen change the sails.  The first thing a seaman learns, is to obey; it is interesting to notice their perfect obedience.  They evidently strive to excel in promptness & seem to do their best.  Some of their work is very hard, & as yet they are constantly occupied.  They will have more time for rest & improvement after a few weeks. April 22,  Lat. 28%55”.  Lon. 37%50”.  We are now in the N.E. trade wind, & shall now pass on in a S.E. direction to the equator.  We have just finished our recitation in Murathee.  Yesterday we had public worship for the first time on board.  This is the third time Miss F. [Cynthia Farrar] has crossed the wide ocean & never before had she beheld such a scene.  An awning was raised aft of the main mast.  The colored table spread was tied round the capstan, for the desk, three settees were arranged, one before, & one on each side of the capstan, these accommodated 11, the others occupied chairs, forming something more than a semicircle round the speaker.  At two, P.M. all except the man at the helm seated themselves.  They were in a cleanly clad manner, though in sailor style; no one appeared in a white shirt, some of them wore red flannel, without coats, some in blue factory cloth shirts.  Some of them showed by their appearance that this was a novel scene to them.  It was amusing to observe their countenances.  Timidity, bashfulness, wonder, curiosity, pleasure & good will by turns or simultaneously were expressed in their sun burnt faces.  In one case as one caught the eye of another, I noticed a suppressed smile.  Mr. French officiated.  He read the hymn commencing “There is a fountain filled with blood.”  Some of the sailors joined in singing, but in a suppressed tone.  We stood in prayer.  God was with us.  We sang again; then listened to a good sermon from Mat. 3:18.  All were very attentive.  The occasion was one of uncommon interest.  We were forcibly reminded of our distance from the assemblies with which we have been accustomed to worship.  I believe all are pleased to have religious exercises.  Family worship is regularly attended at eight o’clock each evening.  Half the sailors attend each evening alternating. – Last Sat. eve Mrs. H [Hume], Mrs. F. [French] & myself had a little season of social prayer.  It was pleasant, & I trust but a foretaste of what we may hereafter enjoy. April 24.  Lat. 24% 37”.  We have as yet seen but few sails since we left Salem, but yesterday five were in sight; some from the W. Indies [West Indies].  In the morning our Capt. hoisted his flag to one, but she condescended not to tell us who she was, or to what nation she belonged.  The Capt. then hoisted a flag consisting of pieces of cloth denoting the name Waverly.  They raised a flag saying they understood, & by that time the vessels were so far apart that they could not communicate.  About noon, one appeared which would cross our track, the Capt. learned by signals that she was an Eng. [English] ship bound home.  Soon the little boat, with the first mate, & four rowers were dispatched with the letters.  A short general letter written by Mr. French was sent to the Miss. [Missionaries] rooms.  The mate said the Capt. of the vessel offered him some brandy & water; upon his refusing, he asked him if he was from Salem.  This ship was on a return voyage from Sierra Leone.  You may hear perhaps from the Herald that the Brig Waverly was spoken by the British Tar, London, & were well.  Mr. B. [Burgess], Miss F. [Cynthia Farrar] & Mr. & Mrs. H [Hume], however, are far from well.  Johnny Hodges occupied the time for social reading to day, the fourth temperance tale we have thus read.  Though we are about to cross the tropic, the weather is cool & agreeable.  The thermometer now stands at 70% four o’clock P.M.  One sail a hoy today.  April 29.  Lat. 14% N.  Lon. 31% W.  I often calculate the difference of time between us, & look off towards home & country & think what my friends are doing.  When dining yesterday, I thought of you, as engaged in the services of the sanctuary.  Our meals are between ½ past 7 & 8, between ½ past 12 & 1, & between ½ past five & six.  Crossed the Tropic, Apr. 25.  The thermometer for five days past has been from 72% to 75%.  There is a fine breeze of the N.E. trade wind, & the sun is often obscured by clouds.  Today the sun is vertical, & will now be N. of us till we get round the Cape.  The sailing distance of the vessel from Salem is a little more than 3,000 miles.  We had religious services on board yesterday as last Sab.[Sabbath]  Mr. F. [French] again officiated as neither of the other gentlemen were able.  It was a pleasant season, though more difficult for the speaker to stand or speak, on account of the motion of the ship.  Tues.  April 30.  Lat. 11% 15”N.  Lon. 29% W.  For two days we have sailed at the rate of 178 miles a day.  Mr. B. [Burgess] able to study the Murathee lesson.  Last evening we conversed for about ½ an hour in that tongue.  Mrs. Hume arranged sentences easily.  All our company are disposed to improve themselves.  Mr. F. [French] & Mr. H. [Hume] yesterday commenced classes of four sailors each.  They teach them chirography principally though sometimes they read & spell. May 1.  Lat. 9%  A fine breeze is wafting us pleasantly on our way; this with the flying clouds, so diminish the intensity of the heat of the sun, as to render us quite comfortable when in the shade.  Last evening for the first time I observed the phosphorescent light of which I have read as being sometimes seen at sea.  This appearance is accounted for, as caused by minute animals, and is not phosphorescense.  It is seen only where the water is in motion, & principally near the ship.  It seemed more like numerous lightning bugs, on the water than anything else, to which I can compare it.  I stand & gaze & admire.  Thus something, almost daily, occurs to furnish a little variety.  For a few days, flying fish have been very often seen, both singly & in schools.  They fly but a few rods at a time & resemble a flock of grey birds.  Dolphins, & many other large fish pursue, & pray upon them. – I often feel, that I shall never have so favorable a time for cultivating personal piety, or for reading, as the present.  So teach us to number our days, as to apply our hearts unto wisdom.  I must not omit to mention, that Capt. W. [Ward] has had a convenient bathing tub fitted for the ladies, & another for the gentlemen.  We use ours in rotation, & as Miss F. [Cynthia Farrar] does not choose to take a bath at present, every third morning, I have the luxury of bathing.  We value it highly, as conducive to health & comfort. May 6.  Lat. 1% 23” S. Lon. 26% 14” W.  Ther. 81%  Yesterday P.M. we crossed the equator.  It was the Sab. [Sabbath]  Mr. Hume preached.  There was a fine breeze all day, & though the thermometer stood at 82, (I always give the thermometer in the shade) it was very comfortable under the awning.  Sat. evening an arched squall (as they term it, occurred.  A cloud in the form of a perfect arch, covered the whole eastern horizon.  Soon the wind blew, & though not properly a gale, it approached nearer one than any thing before on our voyage.  The wind was so steady upon one side, that the vessel did not rock much, but was constantly turned down upon the leeward side. Last Fri. the Capt. caught two fish, called bonetta.  They were of very rich, brilliant color & weighed four or five pds. [pounds] each.  They were caught with an instrument called grains, which has three prongs, & a handle longer than a hoe.  They made us two meals, which were relished by all.  Two little flying fish had before been cooked, & were nice.  When we left Salem, there were of live stock on board as follows, 120 fowls, 10 pigs, & a goat.  The goat was procured at St. Helena, on the Capt.’s last returning voyage.  It had a high reputation for yielding a large quantity of milk, but it furnished us with none, & as a consequence forfeited its life.  Nearly every Sat. our ears are saluted with the dying shrieks of one of the pigs.  The whole crew have a fresh meat dinner on the Sab. [Sabbath]  It is common for sailors to have a better dinner on the Sab. [Sabbath] than on other days.  For the supply of our table the number of our chickens is diminished four or five each week.  The crowing of the cock, & the noise of the hens, is pleasant, sometimes & almost leads me to feel that I am on terra firma. Our food is good, things are, in general, well prepared, with the exception, that they are sometimes too rich.  Our dinners are regular.  On the Sab. [Sabbath] & Wednes. fresh meat, & sometimes on Mon. Tues. & Fri. baked beans, Sat. salt fish, & Thurs. minced meat, also a pudding each day.  We have puddings of rice, bread, flour, Indian meal, & sago.  The sea bread is of good quality, & so are the coffee & tea, the butter, cheese & pickles, & the potatoes as good as could be expected for the season.  I take a cup of weak coffee with my breakfast, & one of weak tea with my supper, & though most of the water is palatable, I aim to need as little as possible.  I have often wished you could know just how we are situated.  May 8.  This P.M. Mrs. Hume & I have been making some dried apple pies.  It was a relief to do it for exercise.  We walk the deck back & forth for exercise every day, some of us jump the rope and practice calisthenics for the same purpose.  Mr. B. [Burgess] has led our evening devotions twice since I last wrote.  He went through the process of getting the longitude from the sun’s & altitude today. May 10.  Lat. 7% 57”S.  Lon. 31% 40”W.  Ther. 82%.  Birds are now often seen flying at a little distance.  We are near the Brazil Coast & every day brings us nearer.  If the wind would permit, our course would be S.E. instead of W. of S. May 14.  Lat. 9% 40”S.  32% 50”W.  Last Sat. about sunset an uncommon pitching of the vessel took place, wh. [which] the Capt. knew not how to account for as high winds are hardly known in this latitude; but he was sure that there was a blow somewhere in the vicinity, & he felt that it might reach us.  The sky was clear, the pitching continued & about midnight all the hands were called on deck.  They reefed the sails, the rain fell, the wind blew strong.  The ship tossed, & sleep almost forsook us.  Mr. & Mrs. Hume are our nearest neighbors, they complained of being drenched by the rain which leaked thro. [through] the deck.  We did not feel in danger.  Storms will probably be severe as we pass around the cape.  The next day, Sab. [Sabbath] no preaching – all of us dizzy, & some quite sick.  Towards night the sea became more calm.  — —  Yesterday the windsail was put up.  It is five or six yards long of a cylindrical shape, & is made of two breadths of Russia duck cloth.  For a yard at the top, it is not sewed together, but is straight.  It lets down a stream of fresh air; our state rooms, the cabin, & indeed all between decks are benefited by it. May 15.  An interesting female social prayer meeting in my state room.  Miss G. met with us for the first time.  We value having her with us.  —  We have made us some little blank books for translating common phrases into Murathee.  My task in this department is three sentences a day.  I write them in Eng. [English] on one page, & in Murathee on the other.  We make some progress, though we often feel vigorous for reading & writing letters, when we do not relish Mahratta.  (I suppose in writing letters, I had better spell Mahratta as this is the usual way in Eng., though I find it Murathee in the books from India, & I often write it that way before I think).  We were so far west as to fear we should not see any vessels, but to day a sail aho, caught our attention.  Our flag was immediately raised, & so was hers.  It proved to be a whaler, out 10 months from N. Bedford.  Capt. Maxwell.  They were more desirous to have communication with our ship, than we with theirs; & they sent one of their boats manned with six men to us.  They wished to learn respecting the war of the U.S.  Capt. W. gave them a file of papers & they gave him some Liverpool papers of March.  They also brought us a half bushel of [potatoes] oranges, & the Capt. gave them a half a barrel of potatoes.  We hastened to seal our letters, our company of seven sent off 23.  I sent three, one to Mrs. Stickney, one to Mrs. Willard Holmes, & one to Elizabeth Rockwell.  The Capt. & crew sent as many more, I presume. May 17.  Lat. 7% S.  Almost becalmed – the sea nearly as smooth as glass & the weather very warm.  We are near the shoals of Brazil.  They sounded last night and found the depth of the water 25 fathoms.  They find bottom today.  fish of various kinds are sporting in the water.  They have been trying to catch some, & I suppose they have put out for bait some two pounds of pork, which the fish have taken without being caught.  A shark too, made its appearance a few rods from the ship, it appeared to be of brown color, its only fin of consequence is on its back, it resembled a horn as seen from the ship.  The ship’s progress the last 24 hours, only 40 miles.  May 18.  Mr. B. [Burgess] continues to gain strength, & has a good appetite.  If the sea should be rough, however, he would be sick.  He now studies the Mahratta lessons, & reads considerable, & to day finishes his third letter, all of them short.  Kindness, good nature & forebearance characterize all our company; & the officers & crew seem contented & happy.  —  On Sat. our bedding is carried on deck to be aired, & to day our state rooms have been washed; so you will perceive our health & comfort are consulted.  Our cup does indeed overflow with blessings. May 20.  22%56 S. Lat.  35%30 W. Lon.  Yesterday was the Sab. [Sabbath]  There is not the perceptible difference between it & other days as on land; yet there is a quietness & sacredness in unison with the day.  We felt rejoiced to have a still pleasant Sab. [Sabbath]  Our Bible lesson was instructive.  We occupy in reciting from one & a half, to two hours, & spend more time in previously studying it.  Mr. B. [Burgess] conducted the exercises of public worship for the first time.  Christ’s interview with Nicodemus, formed the basis of his remarks.  —  Some of the sailors read their Bible every day, & I doubt not some of them will be benefitted by the efforts made in their behalf.  —  Venus, the moon, numerous stars & the balmy air conspire to render our evenings delightful.  I have been much amused today in seeing Mother Cary’s chickens tipping on the water, then soaring generally near the water.  I never see them remain long on the water, hardly a moment at a time.  They are about the size of a robin of black, white & chestnut color.  Numerous sperm whale birds have been flying around for two days, probably a dead whale or a whale ship is in the vicinity. May 21.  Lat. 24%30”  Lon. 34%30”.  We crossed the Southern Tropic about six o’clock last eve.  To day is much cooler, & rain is fast falling.  They catch some for washing.  An Eng. [England] brig from Rio Janiero bound to N.Y. [New York] passed us within two rods of our vessel, bound to N.Y. [New York]  Capt. W. [Ward] spoke it with his trumpet & told the Capt. he would give him some papers if he would stop, but the wind was briskly blowing, & they stopped not.  I have read H. Newell two days passed.  I admire her spirit.  Our comforts exceed hers.  I fear our gratitude does not.  —  You now have three hours more sunlight than we.  Our sun sets before ½ past five, & every day diminishes our sun light. May 22.  Not a day passes, but we think of our dear native land, & raise our petitions to our common Preserver for the many dear ones we have left behind.  The Lord bless, guide, & keep them all in the way of eternal blessedness.  Our country, seen from the point of observation we now occupy, assumes a greatness, a glory, an importance, which I cannot express.  Much is seen to excite gratitude & hope, but still there is much corruption.  We keep up a little idea of what is going on in our native land.  Miss. F. [Cynthia Farrar] says she thinks far more of her home in India than in America. May 23.  P.M.  A ship has been in sight all day, & all have been busy in getting out letters, hoping to send by her, but now we relinquish the hope, as she is too far off. May 24.  A little discussion upon dress occurred, & it was decided to read Mr. Judson’s tract on that subject, & Mrs. Torrey’s little book, entitled Ornament.  Mr. B. [Burgess] read while the ladies sewed. May 25.  Lat. 28%S.  Lon. 32%W.  Cool & damp, very heavy dews.  Sat. my first work after breakfast, is to put everything in order on my premises, i.e. in my state room, & then see that the clothes for the succeeding week are in readiness.  I have just finished that work this morn.  I take pleasure in doing it.  Yesterday Mrs. F. [French] & myself made six dried apple pies.  This is the fourth time we have made them; twice Mrs. Hume & I, & twice with Mrs. F. [French]  We partake of them for tea, & they relish well. May 29.  Lat. 35%S.  Lon. 20%W.  Ther. 66% distance from Salem 7,000 miles.  The air [however] & all around is damp, yet the day is pleasant.  No fire is kept except for cooking.  Miss G. has two soap stones each about the size of a brick.  These, after being heated we apply to our feet, & they are really a comfort.  By the way, missionaries ought always to take them.  It is past seven when the sun rises here, & it disappears before five.  Six is my time for rising, besides attending to my morning work, I get some time for reading my bible before breakfast, wh. [which] is about 20 min. before eight.  Last Sab. [Sabbath] the sea was in great commotion, & public worship was attended in the cabin, only one watch was present.  Mr. B[Burgess]’s remarks from John 3:13, 14 were clear & faithful.  Yesterday & the day before very damp, embracing a variety of weather.  Our female prayer meetings which are held three evenings each week, increase in interest.  Last eve. the season was precious.  May 31.  Lat. 37. S.  Lon. 14% W.  Yesterday an albatross flew several times round our vessel, favoring us with a full view of the largest of aquatic fowls.  It is brown upon the back, & almost white below its wings.  Its flight is rapid, & graceful.  It is remarkable for the length of its wings.  It often measures from 9 to 12 ft. from tip to tip, & is about twice the size of a goose.  Its flesh is not valued for food, though sailors frequently eat them.  We saw many at a distance sometimes sitting in companies on the water, at others soaring aloft.  —  Cape pigeons begin to be numerous.  They are spotted, black & white, about the size of pigeons in New Eng. [England]  They resemble ducks.  One was caught, by getting its wings entangled in some lines thrown out for the purpose.  All the fowls we see are webfooted.  Very few can raise themselves to fly from a level surface, like the deck, & they all walk clumsily spreading their wings & slapping their webbed feet, but they move elegantly in either water or air. June 1.  Sat.  Rough & damp.  Wrote & read some in the A.M. after dinner.  I was in severe pain.  Mrs. Hume very kindly & efficiently nursed me.  She is apt, at almost everything.  June 4 at night a gale commenced, but was not very powerful till Sab. [Sabbath] morn.  Then every sail, with one exception was entirely furled, & that was reefed, the helm was made fast, & the vessel was in a state called lying to.  Everything at such times must be made fast, or be thrown from side to side.  Passengers keep principally in their state rooms.  Every few minutes a high sea washes over the ship, & though our vessel is well built, the water found many entrances at such times.  The wind continued strong & violent till Mon. A.M.  Twice I ascended the stairs which lead from the cabin to the deck, & there gazed at the mountain waves.  The view was fearful.  Our vessel seemed very small, when compared with them, & as a high sea approaches, it is difficult for one not long used to such scenes not to feel that it will overwhelm us.  None of us stayed on deck, everything there was lashed by strong ropes, & the Capt. feared every high sea, that the deck would be swept clear.  To see nothing but bare masts & rigging, was desolate.  None of us attempted at such times to do much, & though it was the Sab. [Sabbath] there was little thinking, reading or praying.  I occupied our upper berth, the lower one was too wet to be occupied.  Mr. B. [Burgess] had his mattress on the floor, just outside the door of our state room.  Considerable of my time was spent, in covering the things that they might not be injured by the salt water which came in every time a wave broke over the deck.  When one cloth was thoroughly wet, I furnished another.  I had rather a severe headache, but felt that I had much for which to be grateful.  Mon. my head pained me still, but about 11, Mr. B. [Burgess] came & said I must go up & see the birds.  I put on my overshoes, cloak & hood, & went on deck:  the wind had subsided, but the sea was still very high, & we were obliged to hold ourselves constantly.  Albatrosses, cape pigeons, stormy petrel (alias Mother Carey’s chickens) & two other kinds of aquatic fowl were very numerous, & soaring around in every direction.  Some were very near the vessel, & they often seated themselves on the water & afforded us much amusement, in seeing them ride the mountain waves.  A line with pork on it was put out, in the hope of catching them, but though they were attracted by it, & many pitched near it, & some took hold, yet they all contrived to release themselves before they could be drawn to the vessel.  An albatross was drawn several feet, we thought he was secured, but were disappointed when he freed himself, & flew away.  A little before noon some of the sails were unfurled, & we were again under way, having been lying to, more than 24 hours. June 5 Lat. 35 S.  Lon. 3% W.  The sea is still very high.  Every few minutes a large wave dashes over the deck, but the fair wind is driving us rapidly towards our destined port.  Around the cape is the region of gales, thunder & lightning, & variable weather.  Our Capt. who has been around 23 times, says he dislikes this part of the voyage.  I have not felt fear at all.  I am assured of the skill & prudence of our Capt. & I have an impression, that some of our company have a work to do in India.  I often try to bring myself to view death near, & aim to be ready to welcome it, but have never been disposed to feel, that the deep would prove my grave.  —  Today we resumed our Mahratta studies, which since Fri. last, we had laid aside.  Time seems almost lost in rough weather, as it is more than we can well do, to take care of ourselves & the leaks.  My room is yet very damp, & we are anxiously looking for fair weather.  Health we consult, & I enjoy it, in general.  Gales, & damp, cool weather will tend to make us value, & be grateful for more pleasant circumstances. June 7.  Lat. 36%S.  Lon. 5% 15” E.  Ther. 55 ½  Last eve a shower accompanied with thunder & lightning occurred, & to day the air is pure & delightful.  I have almost continually felt, that gratitude should flow forth for this fine day.  Our progress is not so rapid, but the deck is dry, & our mattresses & bedding have been aired, our room is dry again, & how agreeable is our situation compared with what it has been for five days past.  The sun rise & the sun set were both beautiful to day; finished reading the 3d vol. of Brit. India.  Some part of the volumes are rather dry, yet the mass of the information was interesting; all except Miss F. [Cynthia Farrar] read them, & their contents have often been the theme of conversation.  To day for the first time washed a few articles off, 5 pints of fresh, hot water only were allowed me, & owing to its being so long in a cask, I suppose it will make suds only with difficulty.  Soap, as I rubbed it on the cloth, changed to a brick color.  I rinsed in salt water.  I had before supposed they would be sticky, if rinsed in s. [salt] water, but the steward said that was only the case with flannels.  Towels, sheets, etc are very liable to become iron rusted.  I have been glad that I took such a quantity of old clothing for the voyage.  In addition to what I had laid aside when I arrived in Boston.  I found a bundle of articles from the Ips. Sem. [Ipswich Female Seminary], & Mr. B. [Burgess] found a similar bundle from Andover Theol. Sem. [Andover Theological Seminary], forwarded at the suggestion of Prof. Emerson.  Clothes become tender, and very yellow by remaining so long without washing.  It is economical to be supplied with old clothing for a long voyage. June 9.  Ther. 55%  Sab. [Sabbath] eve. 6 o’clock.  Just about time for the Sab. [Sabbath] school in Colebrook.  I think of the churches & Sab. [Sabbath] privileges of my native land.  May they be abundantly accompanied by the Spirit.  The weather is so variable, that the Capt. thought it not best to have preaching.  This was a disappointment, but it may be for the best.  Our Bible lesson was interesting this A.M. & it has been I think a profitable Sab. [Sabbath] to me, & I judge to all the miss. [missionary] company.  Mr. Hume conversed with one watch of the seamen, & found them all ready to admit the truth, & acknowledge duty, though none seem to feel deeply.  All have been still. May 10.  Lon. 12% 10 E.  Lat. 36% S.  Ther. 55% to 59%.  I have studied with unusual delight & vigor today.  What a great work to learn the languages of nations.  We make some progress.  Evening brings us all below this cool weather.  We sit around the cabin tables & either write or silently read.  The Capt. is one of our number.  Miss F. [Cynthia Farrar] spends her evenings in her state room, & reads reclining in her berth.  I sometimes sit with her.  She does not need much done, but I love to sit converse, & sympathize with her. June 12.  Ther. 55%  Damp & uncomfortable, so rough that some are sick, & all are affected.  Mr. B. [Burgess] read another of Wiseman’s lectures, while I sewed.  Yesterday for the first time, our eyes were feasted with the sight of a whale.  Though he shewed himself finely a number of times, I do not know how to describe him.  He was but a few rods from the vessel when first seen, & while we were eagerly on the watch to catch further views, he passed to the other side of us.  Its color was very dark.  Its skin smooth, & it seemed a huge mass moving undaunted & rapidly through the water.  We saw from 25 to forty feet of its length, which was probably 50 or 60 feet.  The mighty ocean seems a fit residence for him, & his species.  From a large fin on its back, it is called fin backed.  It is rarely taken as it is fierce & frequently sinks before it can be secured, & yields less oil than other kinds. “13.  Ther. 59%  Clear fine air, our bedding on deck for airing.  We passed the Cape of Good Hope yesterday & are now in the longitude of Cape Lagullus, 72 days out & are now where Capt. W. [Ward] was in his last voyage when 58 days out. June 17.  Lon. 26% E.  Lat. 36% S.  Ther. 65%.  Anniversary of the battle of Bunkerhill.  I remember how the cannons are fired in Ips. [Ipswich] & other towns in the eastern part of Mass [Massachusetts], at the dawn of this morning.  —  The whole animal economy seems animated & invigorated by the balmy air around us, & the soul partakes of the delight, how inexpressibly delightful would a view of the verdant hills & forests & gardens of home, be for a few hours.  The Capt. thinks that while the weather is so unsettled, public worship had better be omitted.  The time for our Bible lesson is the only time, which the passengers have the cabin uninterrupted, & it was decided to spend the hour in conversation & prayer, & defer the Bible recitation to the round house in the P.M.  It was a precious session, & the same arrangement is to continue till the weather is more favorable.  Last Fri. night, we were visited by another gale from the West.  It continued 15 hrs., the sails were nearly all reefed, yet we were driven over the mountain waves at the rate of 8 miles an hour.  Sat. P.M. the ladies went on deck, the waves presented an appearance similar to one caused by a high wind after a fall of snow.  At the head of each wave as it rose, were innumerable drops of water & much vapor, which looked white & moved as snow before the wind from the summit of the drifts.  We dined in our state rooms for the first time. June 18.  Yesterday at twelve o’clock, the course of the vessel was turned to the N.E.  Now our faces are set towards Bombay, & we anticipate reaching Zanzibar in time to spend Independence, July 4.  To day the air is balmy, & delightful.  “Every sense & every heart is joy”  Though it is winter, to us it seems a spring day.  After dinner yesterday as we were singing, as is our practice after dinner, Capt. W. [Ward] called our attention to the fishes which were gamboling in the water, astern of us.  It was indeed an amusing sight, to me more so than the whale.  They were very large, some of them 30 feet long, with great heads.  They would leap from a large wave, first throwing their heads, & as these descended into the water their backs.  We were glad to see them, but heartily wished them either to stay longer or soon come again.*  They were a species of black fish.  Muratha & writing letters is my principal business this week, & I may add, that of all the missionaries. June 21.  Lat 31% S.  Lon. 34% E.  We are having a favorable breeze, & fine weather.  Ther. 68% or 69.  A little before sunset a shoal of porpoises secured our attention.  They passed the ship, often leaping entirely out of the water.  The mate tried to harpoon one as they passed the bow, once he succeeded, but before they drew it into the ship, it got loose.  —  Every thing is pleasant as we could wish in our circumstances.  Bedding was again aired to day.  June 23.  In our little state room.  Past 9 P.M.  I seem unwilling to retire while you have so much Sab. [Sabbath]  I think of you as now in the sanctuary, P.M. service.  That the Sab. [Sabbath] privileges of my native land may be blessed & sanctified, is a desire, which rises spontaneously as often as I think of you.  My mind first recalls those parts I have visited, or where I have friends, & from them extends over the whole country.  The temperature & clearness of the atmosphere, with a favorable breeze wafting us four miles an hour, render our outward circumstances agreeable, & what is far more desirable, I think God has been with us by his spirit.  This P.M. Mr. Hume preached from Rom. [Romans] 3:20.  For by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight.  After being bounded in our prospect by sky & water for 83 days, it was pleasant to see land this morn, which continued in sight till darkness came.  The land is in Africa, Cape Corientes, & the coast for many miles below.  It is principally sand hills, barren & uninhabited.  At Inhambane near Cape C. [Corientes] is a Portuguese settlement from which we could perceive ascending smoke.  Such an evidence of the presence of our race added interest to the view.  We could not but feel for oppressed, degraded Africa.  The Portuguese own the coast from Delagoa Bay to Cape Delgado embracing 16% of latitude, & have numerous settlements.  The slave trade is carried on more extensively on this coast than in any other part of Africa.  Many vessels leave every year laden with slaves, though the traffic is a violation of a treaty between the English & Portuguese.  Many are taken to Brazil.  It is for the interest of the owners to treat them well on their voyage.  The dealers use fast sailing vessels, & have agents in Africa to collect cargoes, & put into port one day, & ship the cargo the same day, at night, to avoid detection.  Eng. [English] cruisers are constantly on the coast, but few comparatively are detected.  Our Capt. thinks the Portuguese on this coast a great curse to Africa, & says they are remarkably destitute of moral principle.  He has traded extensively on this coast, at Madagascar, & indeed in all this region.  The Portuguese, Spanish & French are all, to some extent, engaged in this smuggling traffic, & some think, U.S. men (Americans) are not entirely free from the imputation of being at present engaged. I think I must tell you how I am favored in visiting home in my dreams; last night I had a most agreeable visit with mother of several hours.  I was fitting to leave, which made us more studious to improve every moment; we were agreed in concluding as we separated, that this was the best visit we ever enjoyed.  —  I have rode to meeting with you, bid you, & other friends farewell, again & again.  I am generally preparing to go.  Once the ship put back, & I spent a few hours mostly with father, before we put out again.  Aunt [Zilpah Polly Grant Bannister] too, I often meet.  Sometimes I am procuring articles for use in India.  Nothing sad, has with one exception occurred.  I mention this because it has been pleasant to me to mingle with you, though on awakening, I am assuread we have been continually receding from you. June 26.  Lat. 20% S.  Lon. 37% 38 E.  We reentered the Torrid Zone June 24.  Thermometer for a few days has been between 73% & 79%.  The sunsets in this region present softer, mellower, & more varied tints than I have ever seen before.  I have been loath to say they were more beautiful.  I have seen such glorious sunsets at home though this is the general opinion of our party, & I felt last night, this is different, & I think superior.  —  This morning as Mr. B. [Burgess] came down from bathing, he said he had seen the moon sink below the horizon, & that the eastern horizon was already resplendent, & that if we could go on deck in 10 min. we might see a beautiful sunrise.  I went before that time transpired; as soon as I went Mr. Lovett, first mate said there was a shark.  Mrs. F [French], & I immediately discovered it.  A piece of pork was thrown out, it seized it, though the hook seemed too large to take in, we had a very distinct view.  Five little pilot fish hardly as large as trout were with it, sometimes on its back, & then by its side.  The pilot fish were prettily girdled with stripes of blue & white the whole length.  Its upper side was of chestnut brown, underneath whitish; when dying its color changed to deep brown.  Sailors love to kill sharks.  This was full grown, weighed 150 pds [pounds] or more.  Its fins are fleshy, & do not contract.  It has one large fin on its back, two of about the same size on its side, & two smaller ones near the tail.  We saw its five rows of teeth in the under jaw, & five in the upper – its mouth is of horse shoe shape.  Mrs. Hume says its head & mouth are like a tadpoles in shape.  The gentlemen took the dimensions; whole length 6 ft. 7 ½ inches.  Head 12 ½ in.  Body 3 ft. 10 in. tail 21 in.  Between eyes 9 inch, width of mouth 8 in.  Fin 17 ½ in. long.  They save the back bone but the most they give to David Jones as they say when they throw anything overboard.  At tea, some of the cooked fish was put upon the table.  I tasted it, & had I not known it to be an animal of bad reputation, I might have liked it.  None of us ate much of it.  However the sailors had one or two good meals from it.  In Madagascar & many other parts in this vicinity, they are highly valued as an article of food, the fins particularly.  Large quantities of fins are exported to China, & other places. June 29.  Sailed by Mozambique, & so near as to distinguish trees and buildings.  Moz. [Mozambique] is a small island, the capital of the Portuguese settlements on the coast.  The governor general resides here.  The sight of land is very pleasant. June 30.  Sab. [Sabbath] no public service, as the vessel was rolling very much. July 1.  Progress the last day 202 miles, 20 miles more than any previous day.  We hope to see Zanzibar tomorrow.  This being the eve of the monthly concert, a little meeting in the cabin.  We expect the island of Monfua before morning.  It is inhabited by Arabs & is a part of the Sultans dominions. Zanzibar.  July 4.  Three Amer. [American] vessels are in the port here, & 13 cannons were fired by one at sunrise.  26 at noon by the next, & one at sun set by the third, & in the evening sky rockets were discharged from the flat roof of the Amer. [American] consuls house.  American flags have been waving all day.  We arrived at this port July 2, about noon.  We had been sailing in sight of the island for four or five hours.  The isl. [island] is about 50 miles long, 15 or 20 wide, & 15 from the continent.  Its pop. [population] is composed of Arabs & African slaves, principally.  About 400 Banyan traders, & a class called Soohillas.  The pop. [population] is estimated to amount to from 125,000 to 150,000, two thirds of whom are slaves.  The vegetation is so unlike N.E. & the town, too, that our attention was strongly riveted.  Cocoa nut trees were so like the drawings, that we recognized them at once.  I wish Martha & Marcus to notice drawings more, they will gain many correct ideas, & increase their enjoyment.  The town contains probably from 15 to 40,000 people.  The houses line the shore for about 1 ½ miles, & for some distance back into the interior.  The better class build of coral rock with which this, & the neighboring islands abound; & cover with chunam.  The walls are from one to two & a half feet thick, have few windows, & less window glass.  Their stairs & roofs are of the same material.  These roofs are flat.  Many however, have a thatched roof above, sloping four sides, made by fitting poles, then covering with the cocoa nut leaves.  The lower class build of poles, then wall the sides with mud, & thatch the roof.  The streets cross each other like the threads in a tangled skein.  We walked yesterday through some of them.  They are rarely over 10 feet wide.  The houses so cover the ground as to leave no room for gardens, & next to none for trees.  A few slender cocoa nuts find room.  But three white females have visited the isl. [island] before us & we are quite a curiosity.  The people merely assemble & gaze & occasionally laugh.  The first day the gentlemen went on shore with the Capt., & the following day July 3 the ladies went with them, to Mr. Waters’ of Salem.  He is the Amer. [American] consul, & has been here three years.  He is pious, & aims to do good to this people.  There is also an Eng. [English] mercantile house here, so that I suppose there are at this time as many white persons, as ever at one time before.  We took a short walk in a cocoa nut grove, saw the cassada growing, also alocs & mango trees, picked several wild flowers.  Returned to Mr. Waters’ in a boat.  His Highness (the Sultan of Muscat or Mascat) as soon as he learned that our vessel had brought to Mr. Waters the tidings of his brothers death, sent assurance of sympathy saying that he would come & see him.  In the evening, he came, & we were introduced to his Highness, his eldest son prince Haleed, & two of his officers.  His Highness prefers the climate of Zanzibar to that of Muscat.  He has made Zanzibar his residence for the last three years, one of his sons being in Muscat.  His palace is between two & three miles from town, though he has one nearly completed in town.  He comes up, either on horseback, or in a boat.  His age is about 54, his size above medium, his beard long & gray.  His manners easy & dignified.  He is always attended by a retinue, though he is not fond of display & would often be gladly relieved from it, yet it is their custom.  He shook hands handsomely & affably with each of us.  He is very well versed in the Arabic, but does not speak Eng. [English] but by an interpreter.  He first said to Mr. W. [Waters], God does all, & he does right & good.  He inquired respecting the prosperity of our country, of our passage, of our health, & a few other things, & then bidding us good evening, departed.  We then took tea at Mr. W. [Waters] & after singing & prayers returned to the vessel about nine, so tired that I almost felt that the Arab custom of keeping ladies at home, the best.  This morning we went by invitation to Mr. Thorns, the agent of the mercantile house; dined there, ladies never dined with him before, quite a parade.  We had a fine view of the town & harbor from the top of his house.  The slaves around were amused.  A little Arab child of three years was brought up, that we might see how they paint their faces etc.  They begin to wear ornaments from infancy  —  This little child had three strings of beads of various color, material & size upon its neck, bracelet on the wrist & bangles about the feet, & 6 or 7 rings in the ear, extending round the rim of the ear.  Some have ornaments as large as a cent, inserted entirely within the lower part of the ear, then of different sizes to the top of the ear.  Some have rings in their noses, but this is not common.  Slaves have as many ornaments as any, but in general, not so valuable; though the rich slaves wear those that are valuable, though they do not own them.  Slaves are from 7 to 20 dolls. [dollars] apiece here.  They are sold every day at auction, at five o’clock.  They are well fed, & do but little; die off fast, from 7 to 10,000 come here from the continent every year.  They wear but little clothing, besides ornaments.  They look as if they needed only favorable circumstances to make them valuable, intelligent people.  None of the Arabs or Sowalies are slaves.  While the gentlemen went out to walk, we remained & were treated with fruits.  We are here in the season for oranges, mangoes, plantians, papau & various other fruits.  Cocoa nuts are abundant.  The exports from this port are gum, copal, frankincense, cloves, & shells.  The natives are becoming more industrious.  An evident improvement is in progress among them.  May the day be hastened when they shall have the light of the gospel.  Mr. Waters & Mr. Thorn have spared no pains to make our visit here, profitable & pleasant, & I think it has been so.  We have acquired some acquaintances, with this part of the world. July 9, 1839.  Last Sat. we visited by invitation his Highness.  The ladies were permitted to enter the harem, & see his daughters.  His Highness has been very kind; he sent up a boat manned to take us to his house; he furnished us horses & donkeys to go six miles into the interior & every thing else which would contribute to our comfort, provided refreshments as we went & returned, & presented each of the ladies with a cashmere shawl, worth from 20 to 30 dollars a piece.  He is very kind to all our countrymen.  We surely feel under obligation to him.  He, of his own accord, sends letters for us to his son at Muscat.  We leave this place to day in good health & spirits.  We feel that soon we shall reach the field of our labors, & shall rejoice to enter it.  I did not intend to send this memoranda until I arrived in Bombay, but it accumulated so much that I decided to send it now.  I wish it to be preserved, & as neatly as consistent.  I have written you, my dear parents, & Martha by mail. Ever your affectionate daughter, M. [Mary Grant] Burgess Subject: African Americans From Boxes 3 & 4 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---                                                                         Hamilton [California], Dec. 23, 1853 My Dear Caroline [Caroline Burr Grant],             Sometime since I wrote to you, but did not answer all your letter, & I have put off till now partly for want of time, & partly or more particularly because I wrote to Mother a letter that did not go till the last mail.             I have been writing letters all this week what time I could get evenings, & have another weeks writing on hand. You must know that with my days work out, and my washing, mending, cooking &c. with in, that I can get but little time for other duties, but the nigts are so long now that I can spend an hour or two if I am pretty saving of what time I have.             I have no news to write. Know nothing of either Marcus [Marcus Grant] or Ralph [Ralph E. Burr]. Have <he> not heard from either of them for months nor don’t know there to direct a letter so that M. [Marcus Grant] can find it.             I live entirely alone & sometimes don’t see anyone within speaking distance for several days. I sometimes get very lonesome, but generally enjoy myself as well I think, as though I had company. Dec. 24. Christmas eve; are you doing anything to celebrate this anniversary? I think not. It seems that I can nearly imagine how you are sitting round the fire with your books if you are well perhaps studyin a lesson for tomorrow & that you scarcely think of christmas. I have celebrated christmas to day, no doubt you would be pleased to know how & why I choose the day before so I will tell you all about it.             A few days ago I caught a fat squirell, last night I boiled it & this morning had a fine soup for breakfast, <&> that, I thought as christmas was so near I would call my Christmas dinner, & as there was enough left for supper I would celebrate the evening with a soup for supper. I chose the day before because I had my squirel cooked & knew it would be as good now as ever.             But O! how the snow is piled up around you, & how the wind boo-oo-ooz through the cracks & crevices.             There is plenty of Snow in sight here, but it is a long way off, on the high mts. It is to be seen to the east on the Sierra Nevada, & to the west on the coast mts. The nights are cold, almost every morn, the ground is white with frost & two or three times the ground has frozen a little, <on the> on the surface, perhaps half an inch deep. I think I feel the cold almost as keenly here as I should if I was on the Green Mts. of New England.             In <refference> refering to your letter I see you think it very strange that I don’t work for wages. Because R. [Ralph E. Burr] & some others do so, & send home money, you think I am very much to blame because I don’t. It seems to me that I have said enough on this subject before, but as I have not I will try to explain again.             I have been trying to get a situation Similar to R’s [Ralph E. Burr] ever since I have been in Cal. & concequently know more about such matters than you or R. [Ralph E. Burr] either. R. [Ralph E. Burr] obtained his place soon after he came here, & has been in the same place ever since & is not aware that there are at least four applicants for <all> such places to one wanted. There are more men in Cal. [California] that don’t like work than in any other place I know of in proportion to the number. Probably if I had been more resolute, & tryed hard enough, I should have been more successful, but I have seen fit if I could not get employment at what I thought would suit me, to try something else, & not lie around till people would employ me just to get what I was in debt to them or because I was in debt to them. Many take that course & don’t pay their debts after all. You can’t help but know that the same star don’t guide Ralph’s [Ralph E. Burr] fortune & mine. This I have said before & it is unnecessary to repeat it.             There are some necessary qualifications, to be successful in getting such employment, & R. [Ralph E. Burr] has these qualifications most admirably combined. If a man is not young & handsome or black, boarding house keepers in particular will hire some one who is in debt to them before they will him. The qualifycations are activity combined with youth & beauty, or a black skin.             I have several times been told that I was “not black enough,” which is considered a polite way of saying, you are not handsome enough, or not young enough or both. but enough of this I must take some other subject.             All that has been expended in the N.Y. Co.[New York claim?]  is considered of but little value. The claim is though[t] to be as good, but it is property that is not immediately available, & people do not consider such property worth having in this country. Shares will sell now for about $100, dollars. They have sold as high as $1000,             The Co. did not work last <year> season, & I fear they they won’t next, if there is reason to feel sure of accomplishing anything we shall work, but if not we shall not go to any expense.             A man who is saving of his money would make money faster at home, working for 20 dollars per month, than here at $40, this you must remember when you think of high prices of labor. I saw not long since in an eastern paper hay quoted at $60, per ton in Cal. Where hay is worth $60, the actual expence of taking it to market, exclusive of time & team is not less than $20, & often twice that amount. I would write more but I have not time I have a letter to copy & they must go to the office tomorrow or be to late for the mail.             Give my respects to father mother Erastus & wife, &c,                                                             Yours in sincerity,                                                             Daniel Grant -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- [Addressed to]                                    Caroline Grant Lockport, Apr. 1, 1862. Dear Sister,             The enclosed letter from Joel came this morning.  He writes cheerfully, & I hope will keep in good health.             Three weeks ago last Sat. P. M. I received a dispatch from Paducah, saying Mr. G. will be in Cairo, Mond. & wished me to come – I took the train here, Mond. morn at half past ten, & reached Cairo, Tues. morn at six.             Went to the St. Charles hotel, & found Mr. G’s, name was not registered, and knew by that he had not arrived.  Soon I went down to order up my luggage, & saw the same old striped carpet bag, that has seen so much service in the family, standing by the door, with a familiar trunk, & roll of blankets strapped to it.  I asked the darkey who was watching it, where the gentleman was who owned that baggage.  “He’s coming down there maam,” and soon he came up looking so thin and weary, as to make me heart sick.  He had just come off the boat from Paducah, & had slept very little, the boat was so full.  We staid one day at the St. C. but soon as possible went to a family where Mr. G. boarded last summer, & where several of our acquaintances now are boarding.             Joel was very unwell for two days & nights, & I had fears of a fever, but my Homeopathic box contained the little pills that arrested the diarrhea, & fever.  He soon rallied, & was quite well when I left, the next week Wed. morn. at half past three.  We had a precious visit, one we shall both remember as an oasis.  It was hard to leave him to go down amidst the rebels, but it was best, for I could be of little use amid so many hardships & was needed more here.             John staid at Mr. Smith’s here,<where he> who has a boy of his own age, with whom J. is intimate.  John, has often helped Mrs. S. by milking for her, when her girl was gone, & in many ways been helpful, and Mrs. S. has often said, “John is to come here when you go to see Mr. G.”  She says he was a good boy, & gave her no trouble – Mrs. S’s sister from Odell, 70 miles from here, sent for J. & George Smith to come down & spend a few days.  So they went last Sat. & are to return Thurs. eve of this week – Mrs. S. was in this morn, said she had a letter from G. they were well, & having a good time.  A change will do J. good, & help him to study better next term.             Spring is coming on, already the tulips have started, & the other [borders?] look green.  I fear the summer for our armies.  I am so glad Mr. G. & Philander B. have met, hope they can often see each other             Love to father & Mother & all the family, from your aff. sister                                                                                                             Abby. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- La Grange, Tenn. [Tennessee] Dec. 1, 1863. Dear Brother,             I have found it impossible to ascertain any thing sufficiently definite to warrant my writing to you in accordance with any implied promise made in my recent letter to Father. I now take my pen rather to satisfy you that the matter is not out of my mind than to give you such definite information as I would like to give and you would like to receive.             Since I wrote you I have been mainly, at the plantation here, The work connected with it draws to a close very slowly. The weather is sometimes too cold to pick cotton -- though as yet we have had no snow = and very little ice -- sometimes it is too rainy or muddy & always the days are short. I hope we shall be through in a week, however. The crop -- as I told you in a former letter -- is very light.  The frost has had upon it the effect which it had on many a corn field at the North -- and, but for extravagant price at which cotton sells, the crop would scarcely pay for picking.              The gentleman who has had special care of the Cotton crop this year will make bare wages at a very moderate rate. He was to have two fifths -- be supplying seed &c. he will probably get $600 in all. Had the season been good, however, he would have made $10,000 -- but he ran all risks of invasion by guerrillas and loss of life or captivity.              He has made an arrangement for next year that will probably be a success.  He has secured about 400 acres in the vicinity of Memphis, which he is to be allowed to use free of charge. He is to be allowed to hire Contrabands (Freedmen, we are learning to call them) at such terms as he shall arrange with them, and is to be allowed provisions for them from government, on condition of paying for the same at close of the season. He will also be allowed the use of unserviceable horses & mules paying for their forage at close of season. The arrangement can scarcely fail to be a good one for him. It is one, however, that no other man would be likely to secure; and is a part of the fruit which his arduous and faithful labors the present year have produced, better than a crop of Cotton would have been.             As he will devote himself almost entirely to Cotton, it is possible that I might secure in connection with him a position in wh. you could accomplish somewhat. A dairy kept in connection with his establishment, would doubtless be profitable if carried on wisely -- not for the purpose of making butter & cheese, but to supply Memphis with milk. This article, delivered at houses, commands always 10 cts a quart, and in winter more. There are, however, many draw backs to the profits which such a price might seem to imply. This is not a country in which nourishing grapes grow naturally -- or even with cultivation as they do at the North. There are no fences in the vicinity -- soldiers & fences, at least in a [...] country -- cannot co-exist. Cows are scarce, & would need to be brought form the North, at considerable expense, and no little risk.             Garden vegetables might be cultivated profitably. The demand is practically unlimited, and the prices good. The fence difficulty is here as prominent as in the dairy business -- though it might probably be conquered by the construction of new fences, well nailed.  I do not suppose Mr. Wallace (the gentlemen referred to above) will think it best to take up either of these branches of business.  He will cultivate cotton mainly if not solely. This has the advantage of not needing fence so much as most other things; since cattle will not readily eat it, nor at all so long as they can get grass. of any kind.             I mention these things since it seems to me that you cannot safely enter on any thing in this direction unless it be of this nature. If you feel inclined to enter upon these things or something like them, <let> perhaps you had better write me soon as possible. I cannot say that it will be best for you to do this, but I will still keep the matter under consideration.             I think you can answer this before I shall leave Memphis.             My Reg. is, as I suppose, at Chattanooga now -- and probably participated in the recent battle there. With love to you all I am,             Your aff. brother,                         Joel Grant. P.S.  I mail for you two Memphis Bulletins -- a daily paper -- in which you may find something to interest you. The guerrillas on the river bank and elsewhere are a great annoyance now -- and if you were here I do not know but the order requiring the citizens to arm might embrace you. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- [Addressed to]                        Mr. Daniel Grant                                     Mill Brook                                     Conn [Connecticut] Memphis, Tenn. [Tennessee] Jan. 4, 1864. Dear Brother,             I have now been in Memphis some ten days, and have looked (hitherto in vain) for a letter from you. I have reason to fear that a letter of which I have heard, but which I have not been able to find, was from you. At all events I have concluded to write you some things which you may be glad know and which may be of use to you practically.              I am about to leave the Contraband Department, perhaps permanently and go to my Regiment, which is now (or was two weeks ago) at Pulaski, Tenn., 175 miles (in a straight line) East of Corinth. As the region from Corinth East is not held by our forces, and is unsafe for travel (aside from the fact that it has no modes of conveyance) I shall be compelled to go a round about way probably by Cairo Louisville and Nashville.  A long route is this -- to Cairo 130 miles (straight) to Louisville 225 to Nashville 175, to Pulaski (which lies between Nashville and [Decation?] about 30 miles North of the latter) 70 miles Total 600 miles in straight lines. (I measure them on a map) To this must be added at least two thirds -- making 1000 miles.             I have completed my work at La Grange The results [...] have been small. The frost which destroyed so many corn fields at the North worked equal disaster with Cotton fields in this Latitude.  From our 500 acres of Cotton, which in any ordinary season would have yielded 100 bales and sometimes 250 we gathered only 5 bales.  These we sold for $1512.50 -- a part at 72 cts. and a part at 62 1/2 cts. Of course we could not pay the laborers.  We settled with them on the principle of the Bankrupt Law at 10 cts. on the dollar -- with which as they <never> had always heretofore had 00000 for their wages they were tolerably well satisfied.  Those who received most had $17 and those who received least 10 cts.  They for the most part recognized that they had been cared for, (at Uncle Sam’s expense -- the $1500 would not have paid one sixth of it) and well used, and were willing to try another year’s experiment in the same way -- Perhaps they will be able to, but not with me as a leader.  The principal crop we have raised this year is one of ideas, and in this particular we have been successful -- we have shown that negroes, can & will work as freemen.  I am satisfied.  A small crop (100 bales) would have given us $30.000 -- more than paying all expenses -- while an abundant crop 250 bales would have made for us $75.000, In any case no portion of it would have been mine, and as it has resulted it is fortunate it was not to be.             Jan. 6. The weather has been unprecedentedly cold for the past 6 days.  The last day of Dec. was stormy -- first rain then snow -- then a freeze -- and at day light New Years’ morning the Thermometer was 10 [degrees] below Zero.  Several instances of death by freezing resulted -- among the most distressing of which was that of a party of soldiers sent out from Fort Pillow the night of Dec. 31, to arrest smugglers -- The whole party are probably dead by this time -- and five of them including the Lieut. who commanded them were dead New Years morning frozen stiff.  The rest were so far gone that at the latest news no hope was indulged of their recovery.  It is probably that hundreds of negroes have perished.  There has scarcely been an hour of thaw since the year came in, and the roads where much travelled are smooth as a floor and hard as ice.             I came on board a Steam Boat to day to go to Cairo -- but the ice is so abundant in the river, floating down in large cakes, that our Captain is slow in starting, <We> and the Boat is likely to be slower in making the trip.  It is said that navigating is already closed, both in the Ohio and Mississippi, above Cairo, and though river men affirm that below Cairo it is never closed yet a few more days like the last six would render it very difficult.  The water is unusually low, which renders the case worse.              When I began this letter I thought I had found an opening for you <to> but it seems that I had not.  It was a chance to cut wood from an Island near Memphis.  The place has since been taken by Government to get wood for R. Roads.  All enterprises of this kind have in them a good deal of uncertainty and I felt it undesirable to have you come to a point where I could not help you either by counsel, or influence with the military authorities who, even more than civil authorities, need careful handling.  Still the opportunity seemed so good that I had determined to advice you to take it if I could complete arrangements.  <As you> It was a chance to cut wood at the rate of 50 cts a cord from about 100 acres of heavy timber.  The cutting and piling on the bank would cost about $1.25 & when seasoned it would sell at $3.50 or $4.  Several draw backs would attend upon the scheme -- among them the influence of floods which might at any time stop the work, and if not well guarded against, carry off the wood.  The laborers must be paid, before the wood would season, requiring considerable capital to do work enough to come so far from home.  The fact, too, that the Govt. makes soldiers of able bodied negroes, who must <do the> must do the chopping would greatly increase the difficulties -- for labor would be scarce.             A good many people are coming from the North to engage in Cotton culture.  Some of them will do very well, others will lose all, money, health and life.             I think it probable that I may yet be able to find something for you.  I would like to have you write me how much money you could invest.  I suppose it must be comparatively small -- and for many reasons should be so used as to be reasonably safe from loss.  Whatever I owe you, I hold myself ready to advance on reasonable notice -- I suppose it does not exceed $200 -- probably is not so much but in the tempest tossed life I am in I cannot keep accounts, and lose my memoranda three or four times a year.              Write me as below Your aff. brother J. Grant Chaplain 12th Ill. Inf. Pulaski Tenn Jan 7. We started to day at 1 P.M. Progress slow and a good deal probability we shall have to return to Memphis.  Weather still cold river full of ice. Jan 11.  We are at last so near Cairo -- (8 miles) that I may assume we shall soon be there.  We have had a long and difficult trip -- though not particularly unpleasant.  The weather has been very cold but we have been comfortable.  I finish this letter and will mail it as soon as I arrive.  With much love to Father, Mother, Caroline, Marcus & the children I am your aff. brother Joel Grant. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

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