SOLON ROBINSON, 1841 259 



can "jump one of their claims" or "buy a right," your 

 chance for "making a settlement" is but "a poor claim" — 



To gain 'quarters' then, you must enter into a treaty 

 of amity with John H. that him and John B. may lie 

 together, we all know they will do that seperately — 



I am most respectfully and graciously pleased to sub- 

 scribe myself your soverign — 



Solon — 



Letter from Solon Robinson, Esq. 



[Ellsworth, Henry L., Appendix II, pp. 21-27, Washington, 1841 1 ] 



Washington City, September 3, 1841. 

 Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth : 



Dear Sir : I have the honor and pleasure to acknowl- 

 edge your communication of the 1st inst., and as I learn 

 from the conversation which we had yesterday upon the 

 subject, that your object is not solely for your own grati- 

 fication, but for the purpose of conveying useful infor- 

 mation to our fellow citizens, and particularly to those 

 who are desirous of emigrating, or of investing funds in 

 the great and growing West, I will endeavor to answer 

 your inquiries with all the candor that the public have 

 given me credit for, at the same time I will be as brief 

 as the nature of the case will admit. 



As your inquiries relate principally to prairie lands, 

 let me premise that I am and have been for a number of 

 years a resident upon the western prairies, and have 

 made many careful observations; and to do away with 

 any impression that might arise in the minds of those not 

 familiarly acquainted with me, that according to the 

 fashion of these humbugging days, I am puffing my own 

 wares, I wish to premise further, that I have not an 

 acre of land for sale. 



First, then, you inquire about fencing. 



1 Extracts from this letter, dealing with fencing, were reprinted 

 in the Cultivator, 9:42 (March, 1842). 



