Obed Macy: Journal 6

30 1840 24th 4 mo The second month of spring is nearly expired and generally has pretty moderate and mild, which has brought forward vegetation to an uncommon degree. The grass bids fair to produce a good crop of hay. The gardens look well with such articles as are usually cultivated so early in the season.

The difficulty respecting the NE boundary still remains unsettled. The two governments viz. the U.S. and Great Britain are moving upon it, but very slowly & There has been stong apprehensions of War before it can be settled. But of late a strong hope is strengthened that there will be no War. It is said by some members of Congress without reserve that there will be no War. But, the dispute is not settled.

Business has very much revived since Spring came in but still great complaint is heard throughout the U.S. and even in Europe, that business in general is very dull. What is the cause? I believe in a great measure it is the extravagance of the people in all or nearly all the articles of life and particularly in dress.

23rd 4 mo It began to rain this morning at 6 o'clock and continued till 6 at night & by spells the rain fell in torrents, weather moderate.

5 mo The early part of this month there a cold stormy spell of N Easterly weather, which was the first time since spring came, other than this the weather has been favorable to vegetation to most kinds of agricultry [AGRICULTURAL] concerns. And bids fair for a good season, and likely to cheer the feelings of the farmer. The grass look well. Trees are coming out in their beautiful bloom. 15th 5mo Frequent rains & warm weather makes every thing look lively and pleasant.

William Gifford in his fore topsail schooner grounded on the Bar and set leaking, being loaded with Coal, she became a wreck and sold for 23$ to Frederick F. Swain. He lost about 1000$ & [BLANK SPACE] [PERRY?] that owned in the cargo about 208$. I. [INSURANCE] Office at Yarmoth [YARMOUTH] 700$

31) 1840 20th 5 mo Peter and Nathaniel & their wifes {WIVES] have gone to New York to attend an Anti-Slavery Convention.

22nd SE rain storm all day

It is said the difficulty respecting the NE boundary is nearly closed to satisfaction. That our Commissioner agreed with the British to leave the subject to the king of the Netherlands. He reported that the English Government pay to the state of Main [MAINE] 200,000 pound sterling, which was accepted by the English & now remains for the Government to ratify the terms of the treaty, which no doubt it will be confirmed. The above information proved incorrect. But the prospect is fair for a settlement without War, or even of much difficulty.

13th 5 mo The storm continues, but with more violence than yesterday. This morning the wind changed from S to NE with a strong gale & torrents of rain. It is a month or more that we have had frequent rains & many of them to a great extent, which will probably produce great crops of hay and if the weather comes warm, it [PROSPEROUS?] that there will be great poduce of every thing.

Aaron Mitchell is building a large store on the spot where Josiah Bunker's house (lately burnt down) stood, the lower part to be occupied as stores, the second story for a dancing hall.

4th 6 mo The weather of late has inclined to be foggy, with frequent showers of rain. The grass looks finely. It appears that the crop will be abundant. The season generally in the country is likely to be very large particularly May &c.

30 1840 29th 5 mo Sad accident, Isaiah Robbinson Housewright of this place had both his thighs broken in a most shocking manner on 5th day of the week, by the sudden fall of a Pole of boards on the New North Wharf. He was immediately conveyed home, and hopes are entertained of his recovery.

4th 6 mo The people of the town for a few days past have been very much excited at quite a triffeling [TRIFLING] occurrence. Eunice Ross a coulored girl made application to the School committee to be admitted in the High School. It being the first application of the kind it caused much hesitation. The committee then proceeded to a close examination, they found her capable of answering all the questions asked her to the Committees satisfaction, but they being divided in sentiment whether it is best to admit a person of color to be introduce into the School. In order to shake the burden from their own shoulders a town meeting was held by their request. After much being said it was voted by a large majority, the the Schoolhouse for the colored be kept up for the colored children in a similar manner as it had been for 10 years. Which was very unsatisfactory to the minority, who urged the illegality of the vote to none effect.

27th 6 mo A little rain so as to lay the dust. A heavy rain is much wanted. Vegetation appears to suffer.

31) 1840 17th 6 mo The weather has become very dry and warm, within a few days it has been almost calm and very dry and dusty. Unless rain comes very soon the upland grass will be cut off by the drought. At night a slight appearance of rain. Sultry and depressing.

18th This morning much thunder & lightning accompanied by a refreshing shower of rain which is reviving to the human species, but to every thing that is produced from the earth.

Population of Nantucket The census of this town, taken since the first of 5 mo 1840 by Cobb, under the state authority exhibits an aggregate of 9,512 inhabitants. The population of Nantucket according to the Census of 1837 was 9048. Increase in three years 464.

27th 6 mo There has been talk for several days that the small pox has broke out in several instances at Susan Sylvia's a sailor boarding house (in the house formerly owned and occupied by Abner Briggs). 28th The Doctor did not agree that it was the small pox. There being no place provided by the Town for the reception of the sick, the town was called together to advise the Health Committee what course to pursue. They voted to instruct the health Committee to act in the case as the law direct, which appeared to comprehend all that the case required. It being now represented that one case was beyond a doubt to be the small pox. 7th It proved that the disease above mentioned was the Small Pox, and that several cases occurred in the house above mentioned, but all were of mild caracter [CHARACTER] 9th and the patients on the recovery. In order to secure the Inhabitants from taking the disease, a fence was sent all around the house and settlement (They all recovered) A new Case of Small Pox, see page 34

32 1840 6 mo The Schooner Hope and Susan Robert Swain second master (Charles M. Folger the first Master died of sickness at Trujillo S.A.) the vessel arrived on the Bar and there bilged loaded with Molasses. Much of her cargo was taken out damage & the vessel sold for 370$

In the whole state of New York it was estimated in 1836 there was 7,299 879 Sheep, and in the fourteen states specified there were 12,897,638 Sheep yielding nearly 42 million pounds of wool valued at $1,168,000.

1st 7 mo A rainy day such an one as we have not had for some time. It was needed. The wind easterly and moderate, it likely to be a great benefit to vegetation generally. Our markets flow with a great variety of vegetables green pease [PEAS], cherrys, turnips, new potatoes, new butter at 15 to 18 cents P [PER] lb. &c &c

5th Although it is first day, many people will work upon hay as there is much larger mown down. The late wet weather has prevented its be dried. A fine day for making hay & going to meeting.

9th 7 mo A fine rain this morning. The weather of late has been wet & growing to all vegetation. Every thing growing looks fine and prosperous. The general voice throughout the country proclaims the prospect of good crops of every thing that the land produces. It leads to the question, do we deserve such great favors. I think it may be said that the generality of the people's conduct does not merit such great favors. As long as the three great National evils, War, Slavery and Intemperance prevails, I think we are not deserving of the manifold favour, which are bountifully granted to us. It is hoped the few who are from principle opposed to them will hold out. Perhaps the City may be saved.