SOLON ROBINSON, 1842 333 



in words of truth, and shows them what may be done at 

 farming on the prairies on a large scale. But men who 

 are able to do likewise, are able to live anywhere. But 

 there is one thing certain; there is no more certain way 

 in which they can invest their capital. Yet such are not 

 the kind of emigrants that are the most likely to improve 

 their condition so as to create an increased amount of 

 happiness for their families; which I still argue should 

 be the moving cause of every mover to the West. There 

 never was a more favorable time for the emigrant than 

 the present. During the rage of the speculation fever, 

 many persons contracted debts that they are totally un- 

 able to pay without selling their farms ; so that improved 

 land can now be bought for a lower price than used to 

 be paid a few years since for the bare "claim," before 

 the land had been purchased of government. Stock and 

 provisions are also low; and it requires far less capital 

 now for the new settler to make a successful beginning 

 with than it did a few years ago. But enough for the 

 present. In my next, which I promise not to delay be- 

 yond reason, I intend to answer, in detail, a great variety 

 of questions which have been asked me during the past 

 summer, which will be interesting to the western emi- 

 grant. 

 Lake C. H. Nov. 1, 1842. Solon Robinson. 



Fairs in the West 



[New York American Agriculturist, 1:312-13; Jan., 1843] 



[November 4, 1842] 

 Gent. — Will it interest your readers to hear how we 

 "do up" things in the prairie region of the west? I have 

 just attended two: — The first at La Porte, la., Oct. 13, 

 14. La Porte is one of the new counties of Northern 

 Indiana, which have sprung into existence within the 

 last ten years. It adjoins Lake Michigan, and has a port 

 and unfinished harbor, called Michigan City, from which 

 an immense quantity of wheat goes down the lakes; 



