December 13. To-day a crowd of people were out witnessing the immersion of seven Baptists in a pool near the town. Many of them have a genteel and gay appearance; a slight shade of the ruddy complexion makes me suppose that the climate of this place is the best that I have known on this side of the Atlantic. Dec. 15. Last night a man took the Sheriff of Fayette county aside, on pretence of business, and immediately commenced an attack on him. The officer of the law drew a dirk, and wounded the assailant. I note down the prices of live stock, labour, some of the necessaries of life, &c.
Dollars Cents
Price of a young male negro, arrived at puberty, 800 —
Hire of ditto per annum, with provisions and clothes, 100 to 150 —
Price of a young female ditto, 600 —
Hire of ditto, per annum, with provisions and clothes, 120 —
Price of a work-horse, from 100 to 120 —
Price of a fine saddle horse, 200 to 300 —
Hire of a four horse team and driver, without provisions, 4 —
Hire of a saddle horse per day, 1 —
Mechanics per day, with board, 3/4 to 1 —
Labourers per day, with board, 1/2 to 75
Wheat per bushel, 1 to 75
Rye, 50
Corn, (Maize) 37-1/2
{115} Oats, — 33-1/3
Potatoes, — 33-1/3
Flour per 100 lbs. 3 —
Beef, per pound, from 5 to 6
Pork, ditto, from 4 to 5
Mutton, ditto, from — 3 to 4
Turkeys, from 50 cents to 1 —