Ottawa Creek July 9th 1855 My Dear Augusta

I am now on my journey down in the south country, travelling the round of another preacher’s circuit, through his request as his wife was somewhat unwell. And as I am stopping a day at the house of an old Father in Israel, I thought I could not better spend a portion of this afternoon than in writing to you. You will notice that it must necessarily be a long letter, whether I have anything to say or not. I have not seen James or Henry since I last wrote, and consequently must talk about something else.

I do think that thus far we have had one of the most growing seasons I ever witnessed, although somewhat late in the commencement[,] yet the season has seemed to be so well interspersed with rain and sunshine that vegetation has gone forward beyond all account. I must say I never have seen crops go forward with so great rapidity--we are now in the midst of green peas, beans, cucumbers, potatoes--&c. In Missouri the wheat crop was harvested some two weeks ago and is considerable above the average, from seven dollars per hundred[,] wight flour is reduced to four dollars, and many other articles proportionately so that the squatters are beginning to see better living. In a short time they will be supplied not only with their own resources which are considerable but also with the surplus of the state at reasonable prices. The full emigration will soon begin to set in which will make times much more lively.

I am among the Ottawa Indians on the farm of an old Indian named Jones, a local preacher. He is quite wealthy, lives in a fine white house pleasantly situated in a walnut grove, has about seventy acres of corn planted from which he will probably realize over 5000 bushels, has about 20 acres of oats, considerable many potatoes, will have many wagon loads of melons, had a fine peach orchard, about a hundred head of cattle, besides horses, mules, ponies, hogs and many other valuables on his large farm. I know of one farm in Tioga County that I would think were half as good for tillage. and I guess but few farmers that go ahead of this Indian in the production of their farms, or management. The country here is quite similar to the lands bordering on the [] Kansas River. I think a little better timbered, less rolling and more thinly settled.

I preached five miles above here in two different neighborhoods yesterday in log cabins and had a congregation of about 40 in [] each of the places, the people however here come some three or four miles to meeting, on ponies or in ox wagons or any way they may happen to. at one of the places they have a Sabbath school in operation which is the only one on the circuit. On my circuit we have now some six or eight in operation, some are held in groves, some in private houses and some in temporary buildings constructed on purpose. Children seem to take considerable interest in them, but we have not as good a supply of Sabbath school books as we would desire. I do wish some of the opulent of the east who are right in the midst of books only knew how much good they might do by forwarding to us a few Sabbath school libraries, or would they send some of their second hand soiled books, they will seem like new ones to the little self sacrificing, eager pioneers of Kansas. But a better day is coming.

Kansas already begins to exhibit many of the features of a much older settled state, and she will not be behind in any good undertaking that will tend to promote her interests. she is already in the very morning of her existence sowing those seeds which with germination and culture will supplant all noxious weeds, and produce those fruits just calculated to promote her glory, and give her an elevated position among the states, and were she but free from that incubus brought upon her from the passage of that infamous Nebraska bill-- she might very peaceably take her position where she so much desires where she will never suffer from the withering blight of slavery. Now in order to get there towering difficulties seem to arise before her, but that position she seems bound to attain at whatever sacrifice. May kind reason make plain and peaceable the way.

In the morning I leave here ride fifteen miles and preach at eleven, shall go over an entirely new country to me. my trip out will be mostly along the waters of the Maria de Cygnes and Osage with their tributaries, hope to get back to Lawrence one week from tomorrow after riding about 200 miles.

The celebration of the fourth at Lawrence passed off with considerable interest[.] it was estimated that about 1500 were present[.] the oration by Dr. Robinson was a masterly production-- very timely and will be instrumental of much good. The citizens at quite an expense furnished a free dinner. Speeches were made by two Indians which called forth much applause[.] they evinced much interest in the day and a very friendly disposition toward the whites. I presume the paper will furnish you with all the particulars[.] does it continue to come regularly--

I have just learned that the legislature of the territory has adjourned from the place where the Governor appointed to meet at Pawnee and gone down near Missouri. The Gov. vetoed the vote but they overruled. They have also not allowed those freesoilers who had credentials from the Gov. admission to a seat. the legislature remaining is composed entirely of pro-slavery men elected by an armed mob from Missouri, and it is not probable that the Gov. will sanction a single one of their measures, so that all the laws they try to enact will prove a nullity[.] And the people say that if the Gov. does sanction them that they will not abide by them. The consequence is that there will be quite an unsettled state of affairs until the people elect a legislature of their own to enact the laws.

but it is getting night and I must go and water Jacob. I exchanged my claim near Lawrence for a large black horse about 15 hands high, pretty good in a buggy. but as I have no particular use for him shall dispose of him the first good opportunity. I am glad that I sold it when I did as I think I have a much better claim.

I wrote to mother last week. Is she at Samuel’s now? How is her health[?] where is Mary S. and what is she doing this summer? Tell Sarah I left her housekeeper in my cabin to take care of it in my absence but when I returned how deep was my grief to find that she had been destroyed by wild varmints. I found her body, but it was headless[.] Abundant as were her brains I suppose they were

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they were all eaten up. I think she was altogether too intellectual to endure the hardships of pioneer life. Tell her I can do better selecting for myself.

but I must close with my best wishes for your present and future happiness. James