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21 overflowing. - they charge the highest price for board &c and their provisions do not cost them one half so much as they do in the eastern country. - If I only had the Tin I would like to try it. - although I suppose it needs experience to enable one to please all kinds of people which must be done in order to gain popularity. -

Monday Jany 28th

   Still awaiting Morses' motion, he thinks he shall decide tonight "good gracious" if he does I shall be glad for I am getting tired of loafing here. - I must either have something to do or else push along. - went to the Post office but did not get a letter it is very strange. - one week ago last Sunday I wrote 3 letters 2 of them had only about 200 miles to travel yet I not got an answer to either of them. - Uncle Sams' men must be very slow that they cannot carry a letter 200 miles and get an answer back in 8 days - in New England a letter would go that distance and back in 3 days. but the West is just in that ratio. behind in everything. according to my ideas - in everything did I say?  No! they are ahead in a few things such as swearing, drinking, gambling cheating &tc - in fact in all the cities I have been in the grog shops are as thick or as near as every other door - and every Hotel has a bar though as a general thing they are not in sight, but easily found. - which from my observation I should say were well patronised. and of course when liquor is indulged in so freely then evils which always follow in its train are prevalent. - you seldom hear a western man speak without an oath. and if he trade with you in any shape his aim is to swindle you. - I mean now the trading or speculating class. - I doubt not the merchants here deal honorably for in fact nearly all of them are eastern people who have not yet got into the cheating business. - yet I think they will be obliged to cheat or Smash up which seems to be a very fashionable way of doing business. - as it seems to me that business of many kinds will be over done in the cities which are springing up west of the Mississippi in Iowa, Minesota,[sic] and also in Wisconsin - there seems to be a perfect rush -