In a Letter, dated _September 1, 1741_, he writes thus to a Gentleman in _New-England_: of which Letter I had a copy.
――――OUR affairs, blessed be GOD, have prospered far beyond our expectation. We have seen, and do daily see, much of GOD’s fatherly care, in providing for and protecting us; and though _we have no visible fund_, yet we doubt not, but he that has begun, will carry on and perfect his work against every opposition. We have been plentifully supplied all the summer, while many about us lacked. Our building and necessary conveniences, are now compleated. Our family now consists of eighty-four persons, men, women, and children, and nineteen more are employed about us, and five in the Infirmary: the latter have a doctor and nurse, and all other necessaries found them at the Orphan-house expence. We have fifty-eight children: thirty-two of them belong to the colony; six to _Purisburgh_, who are, I think, as great objects of charity as any in _Georgia_; and the rest belong to the neighbouring provinces, who are orphans and objects of charity, except a few who are maintained at their friends and parents charge. We have a taylor and shoemaker: likewise two weavers; each of them have got a loom, but we can employ but one, spinning here being extravagantly dear; though we hope in a short time to spin as much _within ourselves_, as will greatly assist in cloathing the family. GOD blesses our cattle; we have upwards of an hundred head, small and great, and shall be able in a year or two to kill a great quantity. Negroes not being allowed, and labour among us so expensive, we can make but little improvement in farming. This year we have planted upwards of twenty acres, and have cleared twenty acres more for to enjoy the conveniency of the air: and, blessed be GOD, though we have had a very dry season, yet we cannot complain, like many others, of a bad crop. Honoured Sir, you may now judge whether our design be drawing near a period. What I have written is a plain impartial narrative of our affairs, which our bitterest enemies will not pretend to gainsay. If any doubt it, I answer, as _Philip_ did to _Nathaniel, Come and see_.
In a Letter, dated _October 2, 1741_, he writes thus:
――――MR. _Wardrop_ and I have settled, his contract being finished: he is about some necessary jobs now, and will leave us in a few days. Messrs. _Trip_, _Anderson_, &c. are already gone: I owe them and Mr. _Wardrop_ about seventy or eighty pounds. We are very quiet, and live at an easy expence. We have had no supplies since you left us, of flesh or bread kind from abroad, except some pork from Mr. _B――――_. No _New-York_ vessels have come to this province of late. _We live entirely within ourselves_, except a few necessaries which we cannot do without, that we are obliged to purchase elsewhere. Twice a day we eat _hominy_¹ of our own raising, and at present without molasses. For dinner, we eat beef of our own stock, and pease for bread, of all which we have plenty, and shall have for three months to come. Our garden is very fruitful of greens, turneps, &c. and we expect a good crop of potatoes. In short, we have a sufficiency of wholesome food. Glory be to GOD, we daily see our heavenly Father’s hand supplying us in this wilderness-land. O that we were more thankful! I must have cash, not only to pay debts, but also to buy clothing and many other necessaries; and I believe our GOD will give it to me. He is our shepherd, therefore shall we lack nothing. I trust he has enabled us to pray in faith, nothing doubting but he will supply our every want. All here at present enjoy pretty good health. How thankful ought we to be! The LORD seems to be sending his judgments abroad upon the earth. In _Carolina_ and _Savannah_ a murrain is among the cattle, which takes off great numbers: ours as yet have escaped. Thanks be to GOD! Indeed we are obliged to kill some of them for immediate supply. But what are all outward calamities, where GOD is?
¹ _Indian_ corn boiled up thick with water.
A young Gentleman of _Boston_, having made a visit to the Orphan-House, sent the following account of it to his father, which many have desired may be printed, for the satisfaction of those who have already contributed to its support.
_Bethesda, January 1, 1742._
_Honoured Sir_,