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acres of land called priory, that is, rich mea- 

 dow without wood upon it, to be chosen out 

 of six thousand acres. This staggered me 

 much, and I had almost made up my mind 

 to go ; but having got acquainted with a 

 gentleman named Woods, a member of 

 congress, who lived at Pittsburgh, I told 

 him my offer and intention. He at once 

 condemned the design which appeared to 

 me so reasonable. He said it would be 

 shameful to allow me to go ; the situation 

 was about eight hundred miles from Phila- 

 delphia, and as far from market ; and all the 

 produce must be raised by my own labour 

 and that of my family and as to money, 

 there would be no such thing. He said, 

 none but fools ought to go ; and he would 

 much rather, from the respect he entertained 

 for me, follow me to my grave, than see 

 me set off to such a place. This gentle- 

 man, who lives near those back coun- 

 tries, thus prevented me accepting any of 

 the lands ; and on this account I shall ever 

 respect his name : for since that time, I 



