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10) to raise 50,000 volunteers, and voted to borrow 5,000,000$ and put them in operation in case necessity requires it. These movements excited great alarm throughout the States, from an apprehension that a War between America & Great Britain will be the result. it is not generally believed that war will be the consequence, but that the British government will agree on equal terms with our government. I believe the British have withdrawn their troops from the territory in dispute and will wait for advice from England. In that case the Americans will withdraw their troops. Nobody wants war, therefore there will be no war. The sound of war is very alarming to this place and particularly at this time, when the greater part of the ships are out & many of them not expected in less than 2 or 3 years. The apprehension of war of late seems rather to abate. It does not appear that eighther [EITHER] nation wants a war. In case of a war the victor would gain nothing, both parties would undoubtedly suffer great losses both in property and lives. The armies are withdrawn, and the leading authorities have amiably agreed to suspend the subject in dispute to a future time, and express no doubt but a settlement may be made to the satisfaction of both parties. This is a great relief to us in this place, who have passed through two wars & still feel the effects in some measure.
1839 Last night was one of the most tempestuous nights that we have had for a long time. About 12 o'clock it began to thunder at a great distance and frequent flashes of lightning. It very soon increased, accompanied with heavy showers of rain. The storm continued to about 4 o'clock, and proved to be very hard thunder and lightning and rainy night.
The vessels begin to come with wood, etc. Wood 7.50, corn 1.05, flour 9.25, hay 20$ per ton, candle sperm 1.05. All kinds of provisions are high but plenty. Many of the laboring poor are destitute of labor which renders it hard for them to live comfortable
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10) [11] 1839 3 mo [MONTH] Thomas Macy fitted the upper part of his Store Block for a place of free discussion called Franklin Hall, which judged to hold 430 persons seated. 23. The first meeting was held on the subject of Temperance, a lecture delivered by Kimball. 24.3. A little ice this moring, it proved a pleasant day 25." This morning small wind at West & Cloudy, at 9 o'clock it began to snow, at noon the wind came at NE, and increased, & a severe snow storm.
4th o/m. [MONTH] The weather since spring came in has been uncommonly changeable and Cold. The wind has prevailed to the north and eastward, with but little rain, frequently some frost.
11th.4. Strong wind at NE & chilly & appears likely for a storm. 12th. 6th day of the Week a heavy rain storm which continued the following 7th and first day. 2d day the storm ceased, in the afternoon very pleasant. 3d day - the storm began afresh, and soon became a heavy gale wind at NE; accompanied with wind, snow and a torrent of rain, with thunder & lightening. 4th day the 17th. It blow a tremendous gale. 5th day. Storm abated, 2 Boston Coasters that lay under the Point came in.
Paul B Macy in Schooner Palestine from Boston bound to Savanna attempted to pass through the sound, got on the SE point of Muskeeket [MUSKEGET] thinks the vessel is not much damaged, and will be got off by taking out her cargo. A Schooner Mary from Belfast loaded with lime got on near where Paul B Macy did and took fire & burnt down to the water, saved her sails. 9m- 6th. day of the week. fine pleasant weather wind at West.
During the storms it snowed all day in Boston - and much fell at the Vineyard. Here enough fell to cover the ground notwithstanding, the powerful rain storm. Next morning some snow in cold situations
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1839 8^th. 5m. [8 MAY] Ice this morning was noticed as thick as window ^ glass
Since the weather has become moderate, reported rains has brought forward vegetation wonderfully. The Grass bids fair for an abundant Crop of May.
25 " [25 MAY] The weather continues moderate with frequent rains, sufficient for vegetation to come forward admirably. The Grass looks finely.
25th. Rain, thunder & lightening
25th. The report of the Committee appointed sometime back to consider of the necessity of building a new house at Quaise and for the reception of the Poor (the old one has long been considered not sufficiently large for the comfortable accomodation of or the increasing number of inmates.
Their report recommended a new house feet long, and .. feet wide, which would probably cost 8500$, which was accepted and a Committee appointed to carry it into effect.
See page 27 for the cost & dimensions of the Quays [QUAISE] home.
6m [JUNE]
The season continues favorable to the growth of vegetation generally. It is said the prospect of a heavy crop of grass was never more promising.
Fruit in the country looks well & likely to be abundant.
17.6 [17 JUNE] The market for all the articles necessary for the comforts of life is plentiful. And the luxeries are superabundant. Meat of every description is very high, fresh beef one shilling ⅌ lb [PER POUND] Flour has fallen very much, from 10$ to 7$ Corn holds up to one dollar to 1.05, Wood is very dull at 7.50, Pine 5.50, Sperm Oil at 1.10. Whale 45.
The License law of the U.S. when made was intended to operate against foriners [FOREIGNERS] importing all Oil into this country & taking the benefit of or [OUR] Market.
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1839
6m [JUNE] and to encourage the Fisheries of the country generally. Now, after standing half a Century or more, it is determined that it extends to Whalemen & subjects the Oil imported to a duty of 25 Cents on Sperm, & 15 Cents on Whale Oil. It hitherto has been considered that Whaling was not fishing, which precluded the necessity of getting licenes [LICENSES], but now it proves otherwise, [ ?? ] the Navel Officers are ordered to exact ^a duty, on Oil imported, as being fishermen.
We have become a fashionable people in this place. Many of the vain custons [CUSTOMS] of the world have of late crepted in among us and I fear much to the hurt of the morals of the people to generally.
A school to learn the young people to dance has been in operation some time, nay, some years.
16th. 6m [16 JUNE] Yesterday a Company of men, & Horses and other materials came here to establish a Circus.
A band of Soldiers is expected in a few days and in about a week the Steam Boat Narraganset is expected here from New York, on a party of pleasure. The evil effect of these things must be manifest to every well minded Inhabitant of this place. It all has a tendency to draw the minds into habits & customs, that will prove hurtful.
The building that was called the ^North Friends Meeting House has been sold to some Carpenders [CARPENTERS] and by them to Marcus a Episcpalian [EPISCOPALIAN] Minister and is undergoing great alterations, to fit it for a meeting house, or Church, for the Episcopalian Society to meet in for Divine Worship.
Jared Coffin has bought of John A Parker the house that was Paul Gardne [GARDNER] & has taken it down with the t[?] rear up one of Brick.
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14) 1839 .1.7. The weather of late has been quite dry, some articles of vegetation begin to suffer, The weather has been rather cold for corn, but in general the season promises fair for a good crop.
Provisions of most kinds have of late very dull sale - the prices of most articles has been rather falling - Frour [FLOUR] 6.50 to 7.50. Corn 98 to 100. Meat has lowered some; but the price is still extravagent - 14 Cents to 16⅔ P [PER] lb - Wood 7$ for the best quality.
2.7. It is a time of great commotion. The Steamboat brought 167 passengers. The Superior Court is now in session, which has drawn a considerable number. The time of the Orthodox Quarterly Meeting, commences to morrow, a larger number of Friends has come onto attend it, several Ministers & Elizabeth Coggeshall, Elizabeth Robbinson [ROBINSON] & her Husband from England, and others.
Henry C. Wright from Boston also came in the Boat. He is a Lecturer deliverer on Temperance and more particularly to promulgate the doctrine of nonresistance. Which if this should become universal, all wars would cease.
3.7. A very seasonable rain has fallen to day, the latter part of last night it began, and it has rained moderately all day, which has soaked the ground through.
10th. Henry C. Wright is still here, and devotes his time in delivering Lectures & engaging on Moral subjects. On that of nonresistance seems to be a favorite topic. The man and the subects he treats upon are highly approve of by the people, or those who hear him. He appears to be a man who devotes his time by divine authority, for the good of mankind, and claims the attention of his hearers, with applause, and much satisfaction. 21 He had a meetg [MEETING] at Frds. [FRIENDS] Meeting House.
12 Rainy and Squally, with Thunder & lightening. 12th I went with a number of others to see the Silk factory owned by Aaron Mitchell. I am as much delighted in viewing the situation of the building on Accademy [ACADEMY] Hill, the extensive territory.
