As to religion, our mode of worship will not suffer much by this removal from a cultivated country, into the bosom of the woods; for it cannot be much simpler than that which we have followed here these many years:  and I will with as much care as I can, redouble my attention, and twice a week, retrace to them the great outlines of their duty to God and to man.  I will read and expound to them some part of the decalogue, which is the method I have pursued ever since I married.

Half a dozen of acres on the shores of—–­, the soil of which I know well, will yield us a great abundance of all we want; I will make it a point to give the over-plus to such Indians as shall be most unfortunate in their huntings; I will persuade them, if I can, to till a little more land than they do, and not to trust so much to the produce of the chase.  To encourage them still farther, I will give a quirn to every six families; I have built many for our poor back settlers, it being often the want of mills which prevents them from raising grain.  As I am a carpenter, I can build my own plough, and can be of great service to many of them; my example alone, may rouse the industry of some, and serve to direct others in their labours.  The difficulties of the language will soon be removed; in my evening conversations, I will endeavour to make them regulate the trade of their village in such a manner as that those pests of the continent, those Indian traders, may not come within a certain distance; and there they shall be obliged to transact their business before the old people.  I am in hopes that the constant respect which is paid to the elders, and shame, may prevent the young hunters from infringing this regulation.  The son of——­will soon be made acquainted with our schemes, and I trust that the power of love, and the strong attachment he professes for my daughter, may bring him along with us:  he will make an excellent hunter; young and vigorous, he will equal in dexterity the stoutest man in the village.  Had it not been for this fortunate circumstance, there would have been the greatest danger; for however I respect the simple, the inoffensive society of these people in their villages, the strongest prejudices would make me abhor any alliance with them in blood:  disagreeable no doubt, to nature’s intentions which have strongly divided us by so many indelible characters.  In the days of our sickness, we shall have recourse to their medical knowledge, which is well calculated for the simple diseases to which they are subject.  Thus shall we metamorphose ourselves, from neat, decent, opulent planters, surrounded with every conveniency which our external labour and internal industry could give, into a still simpler people divested of everything beside hope, food, and the raiment of the woods:  abandoning the large framed house, to dwell under the wigwam; and the featherbed, to lie on the mat, or bear’s skin.  There shall we sleep undisturbed by fruitful dreams and apprehensions; rest and peace of mind will make us the most ample amends for what we shall leave behind.  These blessings cannot be purchased too dear; too long have we been deprived of them.  I would cheerfully go even to the Mississippi, to find that repose to which we have been so long strangers.  My heart sometimes seems tired with beating, it wants rest like my eye-lids, which feel oppressed with so many watchings.