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Beaufort, April 10th, 1809

Dear Brother,

I received your favor of the 14th of November by Capt. Duncan, together with the other friendly letters, which were an acceptable relief to me in a time of trouble. My wife, after lying about four months in the most deplorable condition, expired on the 3rd of November, and as I had reason to hope that she was prepared for that death which put an end to a tedious and painful disorder, I felt entirely satisfied with the decree of Providence and submitted to my fate without a murmur.

As Betsy Pugh's time of service with my wife had been out more than three years at the time of my wife's death, I expected this change in the family might incline her to leave us, in which case Sally would have been lonesome and of course dissatisfied, which might have occasioned me to break up housekeeping. But as they seem firmly united and desirous to continue in their present stations, I can see no prospect of bettering myself by a change.

The government has had a fort erected here, the work has been going on for six months past and has in a great measure compensated for the privation of the Embargo. The materials were all furnished, and the labor all done by the inhabitants of the place, which has already put about $10,000 in circulation among us and will, I expect, require $5,000 more to complete the work. The winter has been cold and stormy but tolerably healthy-provisions are plenty and cheap-and every housewife is busily employed in clothing her family in homespun. Although goods are scarce, the prices are low and the sale dull.

My family and friends here are in reasonable health and nothing remarkable has happened among us since my wife's death. For my own part, I have enjoyed as good health for 12 months past as I have experienced for many years back. I live retired, have but little to do, and have the consolation to find myself able to do that little with comfort. How long this will be the case, God only knows, for as I am in my 73rd year, I have reason to conclude that my time is short.

You ask my advice with respect to George. I can only recommend you to consult his taste and inclination and do what you think is best for him. If he is not calculated for a man of letters and dislikes mechanical business, let him learn the art of husbandry and take his rank among that respectable class of men called farmers. As it is troublesome to me to write many letters, I desire you to remember me to George and tell him that I advise him to stay where he is until he learns to earn his living and not come here to learn the idle habits which prevail among the boys and prevent their usefulness when they arrive at manhood.

Samuel has spent much of his time in this idle way, but at length has been taken notice of by a Dr. Press, who commenced the practice of physic here about two years ago and is now studying with him and seems very attentive to his business, in which I earnestly hope he may succeed as I have nothing more at heart than the welfare of all my children.

As one letter must serve, I have to request you to give my most friendly respects to all my relations and friends and with every good wish for them and yourself, I remain

Your ever loving brother,
Saml. Leffers