MOHA^VK AND BLACK RIVER CODKTKIES, 1149

measured, which was 11 1 in height. It, however, does not appear to be so stocky as corn in Deerfield meadows. They tell me it produces from 40 to 70 bushels the acre. It would not answer here, however, to tend corn in this manner after ye first year of its being cleared -- it would become weedy. Crops of all kinds appear to flourish, though the ground is not half tilled.

Poor people have, in general, been the first settlers. They IjaVe bought farms of about 100 acres-- have cleared 10 or 20 -- built a log-house -- and then sold to othei^, for a sum as much greater than they gave, as to purchase them another 100 acres -- and by this means have placed themselves in a short time in a good situation. It is considered here but a small affair for a man to sell, take his family and some provisions, and go into the woods upon a new farm, erect him a house, and begin anew.

Society is here made up of all characters. It is a mixture of everything that can be well conceived of, both as to nations and religions. The great body of the inhabitants are, however, from Massachusetts and Connecticut.

One thing is peculiar in this wilderness, -- every countenance indicates pleasure and satisfaction. The equality of circumstances cuts off a great proportion of the evils which render men unhappy in improved societies, and the influence of hope is very apparent. I do not know that I have seen an unhappy person for 90 miles on this river. There is no complaining of hard times; but every one is cheerful and contented -- for they all foresee, that in a few years they will have a great plenty of worldly goods, in a common course of events.