XXXll 
LIFE OF AVILSON. 
and supporter, places you in a dignified point of view. The future 
remembrance of your kind duty to them now, will, in the hour of 
your own distress, be as a healing angel of peace to your mind. 
Do every thing possible to make your house comfortable — fortify 
the garrison in every point — stop every crevice that may let in that 
chilling devil, the roaring blustering northwest — heap up fires big 
enough for an Indian war-feast — keep the flour-barrel full — bake 
loaves like Hamles Head* — make the loom thunder, and the pot 
boil; and your snug little cabin re-echo nothing but sounds of do- 
mestic felicity. I will write you the moment I hear of George. I 
shall do every thing I have said to you, and never lose sight of the 
eighteenth of March ; for which purpose I shall keep night school 
this winter, and retain every farthing but what necessity inquires — 
depend upon me. These are the outlines of my plan. If health 
stand it, all will be well; if not, Ave cannot help it. Ruminate on 
all this, and consult together. If you still think of coming down, 
I hope you would not hesitate for a moment to make my neigh- 
bourhood your home. If you come I shall be happy to have you 
once more beside me. If you resolve to stay on the farm, and put 
things in order as far as possible, I will think you have done what 
you thought best. But I forget that my paper is done. 
“ Robb, Orr, &c. have escaped as yet from the pestilence; but 
Robb’s three children have all had the ague. Rabby Rowan has 
gone to Daviess Locker at last: he died in the West Indies. My 
brother David talks of coming to America, and my father, poor 
old man, Avould be happy to be with you, rough and uncomfortable 
as your situation at present is. As soon as I finish this I shall write 
to your mother and Alexander. There is a letter for John M., 
which he is requested to answer by his father-in-law. I hope John 
will set a firm resolute heart to the undertaking, and plant a poste- 
rity in that rich, western country, to perpetuate his name for ever. 
The name of a rock near Paisley. 
