544 INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



tou Island, notwithstanding it bore the name of the 

 Indian's evil spirit, would have less of terror about it 

 than the wide waste of water and a thick black night in 

 the middle of Lake Michigan, and I have no doubt but 

 they offered up many hearty thanks when they found out 

 the determination of our worthy Captain to bout ship 

 and run for shelter. 



Two or three hours after we returned we were joined 

 by another steamer from Chicago, which after daylight 

 run down to the other Island, to put out some freight, 

 and then after going out ducking a few hours on her 

 way to Mackinaw, she has returned within sight and 

 dropt her anchor. 



And now, for the want of better amusement while 

 holding on for a lull or at least a change of wind, I have 

 given you this your first communication, I presume, from 

 this part of creation. 



I am, most respectfully, your southern friend, with, at 



present, northern feelings, 



Solon Robinson. 



P. S. — 5 O'clock. — We are now getting under way, 

 with a prospect of a clear night, but Oh! what a sea 

 is rolling outside, while in the west, and in fact all over 

 head, we have one of the most gorgeous, splendid sun-set 

 scenes that I ever witnessed — a scene that is worth a 

 November trip around the Lakes to witness. I cannot 

 attempt to describe it, and if I did, there is a power at 

 work that disturbs my equilibrium too much to permit 

 me to make longer letters. So good night. 



Chicago, Saturday morning — all safe. 



Scraps from My Note Book. — No. 1. 



[New York American Agriculturist, 5:56-57; Feb., 1846 1 ] 



[December 6, 1845] 

 While travelling over the United States for several 

 years past, I have jotted down in a memorandum, what- 

 ever appeared to me worthy of note, and which might 



1 Reprinted in part in Farmers' Cabinet, and American Herd- 

 Book, 10:276-77 (April, 1846). 



