barrel and from 50 to 62½ by the retail, and a great deal of it is sold in that way. Corn is one dollar per barrel, pork $2, beef $1.50, wheat 37½, rye two shillings, coffee from 20 to 25 cents, sugar 12½ cents, and store goods is as cheap as in Virginia; all but iron, that is ten cents, though but little of it made use of. Horses goe without shoes, and a man that has to get his plow-irons sharped twist a year thinks his blacksmith work a heavy tax on him.
There can be no good entrys of land in this neighborhood; there can be a great settlement made about 6 miles from Henderson's on the headwaters of ——— River. There is no settlement within several miles, so a man may situate himself just as he sees proper. If you come to this country next fall, come through Kentucky, cross the Ohio at Albany 4 miles below the falls and from there to Vinsane on the Wawbash, which is 120 miles, and from there to St. Louis 160 m., to St. Charles 20 m., from there here 85 m. The distance from where you live to St. Louis don't excede 770 miles that rout. Eight me a letter and let me know your notion sertenly about coming to this country by the first of Aprile. I want you to fetch me a Virginia wife out here; some hansome and clever girl. Tell Betsy young girls is ready sale here; but old maids rate at 25 cents a hundred. I have not room to write any more; give my compliments to uncle and aunt, Jane and Betsy. Likewise take them to yourself, and believe me your sincere friend,
Mr. Joun McClure, Greenville, Va."
John McClure, since the last letter, had made a trip to Missouri on horseback, with Matthew Pilson, his brother-in-law.
Dear Cousin,
I take this opportunity of informing you that I am well and hope that these lines may find you and your family well. I have nothing to write worth your attention. David, Hannah and Robert got to Salt river and all is well except Jane Henderson, and she is able to walk about, but
