Moore writes his friend Hidder describing his travels through New York State and Vermont, he visits the State Prison in Auburn, takes the cold water cure in Brattleboro, etc., he also comments on national politics and business conditions.

"Friend H

I suppose before this you have taken your tramp and returned to M. again, the city of sand to engage in measuring tape, dunning sundry acts an selling pills to recruit your pile of loose change which must be reduced by this time to the diameter of a large brass button and the contents of a red cent. I attended meeting yesterday at the state prison which is here located the number of prisoners is about 450 amongst the rest some 50 gentlemen of color. So large a number of the "sans culottes" I never saw collected together before some years past there has been as many as between seven and eight hundred. The decrease is attributed to the Mexican War. What is the height of the mercury in the political thermometer in N.H. This state will probably give the deserter a large number of votes perhaps the largest of the three candidates. But that the South and West will go for Cass there is not the shadow of a doubt. This from men direct from those parts. The crops are very fine throughout the state oats in particular the largest crop ever raised. In coming through Vermont stopped at Brattleborough. The cold water cure establishment is located here is in the full tide of success having 150 patients. The proprietors are making fortunes their medicine costing less than your pills or my bitters do us and their patients being of a class that are able to pay roundly for benefits received. Passing over the Green mountains nothing of note occurred some very fine views from the tops of the mountains and any quantity of black berries ans raspberries by the road side which were to be had for the picking. Came through Bennington where Molly Stark came so near being made a widow. The portion of N. Y. I have traveled through is more hilly than I expected to find any portion of the state. The land is very good producing fine crops not of granite and ice but of grain and fruit. The villages have not that appearance of activity and thrift which the villages of New England have. I find the specimens of the universal Yankee nation (alias "Natives of New England") scattered along on the road in almost every town. How does the Temperance house flourish more than one boarder now. Tell Wiggin shipping furs are high here now. The fall mode of furs is now out all wool cut skins being the most fashionable. Van Buren will be his backer to any amount until after election for he hopes the friends of the N H tanner will go for him with a rush for this time only. Please ask Rowell what kind of a trade L & H made with my horse which I let them have and write me of the same. My respects to all the Democracy of No 36 Elm St. Direct to Albany N.Y."