142 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



a small portion of a large army for pioneers, because of 

 the peculiar fitness of that small part for that arduous 

 and important service. It is my opinion, that a much 

 smaller portion of the community are fit for pioneers in 

 settling a new country. Too little heed has been paid to 

 this important fact, in the great rush for the west, a few 

 years past. Thousands have rushed forward with the 

 bright vision of an "el Dorado" before them, to find noth- 

 ing but disappointment, loss of property, vexation of 

 mind, and consequent loss of health, and sometimes loss 

 of life ; all attributable to their own heedlessness, rushing 

 headlong into a situation that nature, education, and 

 habit, had totally unfitted them to occupy. Let not my 

 western readers say, that I would discourage the settle- 

 ment of the country; I always have, and always will, 

 encourage the thousands who have, and who would better 

 their situations, by emigrating from the old states to the 

 west. But let every person disposed to emigrate, first 

 seriously inquire whether he would better his situation 

 or not. Let him lay open to himself, and more particu- 

 larly to his wife and children, if such he have, a complete 

 picture of the case ; and don't let him forget to point out 

 all the shades as well as bright spots in the picture. To 

 a large portion of the new settlers of a new country, 

 there is an indefinable charm in "making a beginning" 

 in an uncultivated wilderness, and causing it to "blossom 

 like the rose," that lends life a pleasure, and overbalances 

 all difficulties. 



Happiness, and not wealth, should be the aim of all; 

 though no man should allow himself to be happy, without 

 he is doing some good in the world — promoting the hap- 

 piness of his fellow creatures, as well as himself. And 

 to such dispositions only, will my present advice be avail- 

 ing; but to such, I hope it will avail so far as to make 

 them inquire, when they are preparing to emigrate, 

 whether they will not be likely to contribute to their own 

 wealth and happiness, and that of their fellow creatures, 

 by following some of my present advice. 



