THE AUSTIN PAPERS. 223 be astonished to see the change in all Orders of Citizens in the Article.of dress Indian dressed Buckskin for Overhalls and frocks are now as universal as broadcloth used to be, notwithstanding goods of a proper kind will sell Such as I have heretofore stated to you but I am clearly of Opinion that 5 thousand Dollars in Cash would produce double the· neet produce in a Year than 10 Thousand Dollars in goods, because No man would calculate on asking Credit on Money, but goods at-the prices they must sell at,. purchased at War Marketts cannot be sold in this Country for ready, pay, to, much advantage, Lead is now 375 in St Genevieve part goods and 400 in Herculaneum, Oash, a Cargo purchased at even 450 and sent up the Ohio would do better_than goods as I cannot suppose the· expence of transportation to Philadelphia over 6 Dollars pr Hundred which would Make the cost 950 in Phila- delphia and If 14 or 15 c;:an be obtained the Neet proceeds would out do any advance on goods, and all in hand, nothing on Credit. As to Indians I have a hope we shall not be troubled with them I think the mine a Burton a safe place much more so than any other place in the Territory because no body of hostile Indians are in our quarter and ca.nnot get to us untill they pass the Sett.lements of Saint Charles-Yet I am inclined to Suppose that the Militia will be called on in the spring unless the U S government sends us troops. I have seen an account of a machine said to be const[r]uctecl by a man by the name of Readhefer about 10 miles from Philadelphia ,vhich gives, perpetual, motion, I have a desire to know more of this machine and If you could ·find time to Visit the [place] and ex- amine the machine you your self-and if to [be obtained?] git a Draw- ing of the machine I wish you to, do so: the advantages to be derived from the use of such an invention in the Western Country passeth all the Ideas and imagination of man, I am only doubtful it is 71,()t true. I wrote you some time since respecting a Mine of Antimony which had been discovered near the River Illinois :Mr Elias Bates has information how to find the Mine. If a lead can be obtained; -he also say[s] he has not any Doubts as to the goodness and quantity-this is also an object of great magnitude and worthy of attention, on both of these subjects I wish you to be attentive-If you can find time· I also wrote you my opini~n on the opening towards Mexico, I have had Nothing to change a belief that an adventure to that Coun- try would be both safe and advantageous As to a general assortment of English goods in this Country I do not think payment could be obtained so as to make the thing profitable except in the Articles I have mentioned. I am fully of the Opinion that many goods may be Sold but '1- life of l&bou.r could, :µot co~l~ct the paymen~.
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