[This text is machine generated and may contain errors.]

Beaufort, Oct. 18th, 1805.

Dear Brother,

By yours of the 15th of July, I had the disagreeable news of brother Daniel's unhappy course of life, which I sincerely regret. Also, Israel Smith's unhappy situation-I have also seen accounts in print of the wasting epidemic prevailing both in New York, Philadelphia, New Haven, and some other places to the northward. Our thanks are due to the divine goodness that general health has prevailed in this part of the country during the summer, and at present, there are very few cases of anything worse than ague fevers and other intermittent that do not prove mortal, and a few instances of the dysentery of a favorable kind.

The summer and the fall hitherto have been an almost continued series of clear warm weather attended with seasonable showers, and we have not had a settled rain even of 12 hours' duration, as I recollect, since February last. The crops of corn are supposed in general to be better than ever was known, and every other production of the earth uncommonly good. Oh, that the goodness of God might lead us to repentance and fill our hearts with gratitude for all his blessings bestowed on the children of men.

I have sent Saml. with his uncle Thomas Duncan, to assist in doing my business, and as he proposes to make you a short visit, he can inform you of every particular circumstance relating to our affairs here. I shall therefore be less particular in writing. David Hollen has been very hearty since his arrival here and looks much better than he did, but he has received so little countenance on account of his deserting his business that he seems desirous of returning, provided he could be free from Mr. Osborn, for whom he seems to entertain an irreconcilable aversion. I have written to John Van Nostrand to know whether he could take him to himself and shall wait his answer before I put him to any other business.

I found on his return that instead of improving in writing and the use of

figures, he had in a great measure lost what he had. I have therefore had him at school the past three months, which has about reinstated him in what he knew before. I hope you will have friendship enough for George to keep him in a way of improvement until something is further determined for him. Possibly, if life and health permit, I may attempt to make one more visit to my native place in the course of the next summer, which, if Providence permits, will I presume be my last visit among my aged relations and friends. In the meantime, I consider every letter as a testimonial of friendship which may possibly be the last.

I therefore request you to give my most affectionate respects to all my relations and friends at and about Hempstead and let them know that although my memory will scarcely retain the common occurrences of life for a month, yet I have not forgotten to love my friends. My wife and daughters desire to be remembered to you and all relations.

I remain your ever-loving brother,

Saml. Leffers