Letter from Daniel Muir to John Muir, 1861 Apr 17

Buffalo 17th, April 1861.Dear John I received yours on Sunday was glad you are well but I was startled when learned you wanted money as I have got so very little of it at present. you got all I had in the Bank last time you got some excepting $10. besides I have got all in that any body owes me and all I have is Spent but about $18. and I do not want to Sell away of my Wheat yet but I have inclased $10. hoping it will Serve you until I get Something more. let me know when you are in great distress and I will try what I can do. Make all the money you can and save all you can. give away all you can. & barrow as little as you can. you will find out that it is easier spending money then making it I should like you to be temperate but I would not like you to starve yourself that is I should like you to have the real necessaries of life & if you should want the luxuries of life I would not feel vexed about it. I wish you may be loving you God much more than inventing machines the world can want machines but you cannot want Salvation So well. See then my Son that you do all to the glory of God by grace you will find as you require constant breathing in order to live so you will require constant faith & prayer in order to live Spiritually Christ must live in you that you may do good. Your mother and all the rest of us are well thank god for it we are all busy getting in the seed. I have bought a machine for sewing wheat oats & all kinds of grass seeds it is a great help to us we can sow 8 & 9 acres per day with it amongst the stumps, the price of it is 85 dollars but there is $65 to pay yet. yours affectionally Dan Muir Dear John I am glad to know your health is pretty good in the midst of your difficulties I have no doubt you will get over them all, if you are spared Margaret is a good deal better, she has received your letter but the one you sent to David Galloway is at our house yet, but I will send it the first chance. you guessed right about the [moss?]. Dan sent it. I sometimes think you will make rather an [illegible] house keeper as your experience in such matters was small before you left us, I hope you will be able to get the education you really want write often as we are always glad to hear from you from your affectionate motherplease send a letter as soon as this comes to hand to let us know that you have got the money safe D. M.0026