sickly, being either without water or drowned, with skiffs moving over swamps, covered with pestilent fogs and steamy heats. Birkbeck must fail, and Flower too!
16th.—Visited Scott's still-house, now building of rough logs, where corn and rye are to be turned {314} into whiskey, half of which goes to the distiller; the grain to be brought, and the spirits to be carried away at the farmer's cost; so making the spirits as dear, if not dearer, than what can be bought of spirit-merchants. Besides, it is expected that Scott will take the best half for himself.
Farmer Montgomery came 10 miles this morning with one of his fat bullocks to kill for the English here. He killed and dressed it himself, or rather murdered it. The animal is either shot, or knocked down, in any part of the yard; then it is skinned and cut out immediately, not jointed, or cut into joints, but quartered, while hot, and drenched in blood, for it is not hung up to cool and dry. I begged for J. Pedley, the fine fat head and horns which the pigs had begun to devour. The farmer will not carry any out, but makes people come for it, and waits, if it is two days, or until all is sold. It was a fine treat to us, as we had not tasted tame meat for the last fortnight; nothing but lean, poor venison. I bought half a quarter, at four cents a pound, and fine beef it was.
Mr. Maidlow has bought several loads of corn, at thirty-three cents a bushel, 16d. English, and carted by the farmer, twelve miles, into the bargain. Forty bushels is a load for four horses, through the worst roads, taking two days, at four dollars a day for carriage, so leaving only 17s. sterling, for forty bushels, to the poor farmer! Or if bought at 25 cents, as it often is, only 9s. for the 40 bushels!! {315} But surely imperious necessity only can compel the farmer so to sell, because if able to keep it until
