This country has never experienced a Winter more Severe. The Mercury has been at this place 12° below the extreme cold point at Morkingdum 20, and at Pittsburgh within the Bulb or bottle. The difference may be accounted for in part by the inland situation of the place and greater and lesser quantities of Ice at the other. It has been althogether impassable for me untill within these few days past to stir from the Fire Side. On Tuesday last I went with Several other Gentlemen to fix on the Shot for laying out the Town opposite Pittsburgh and at the same time took a general view of the track and finds it far inferior to my expectations altho I thought I had been no stranger to it. There is some pretty low ground on the Rivers Ohio and Alagania but there is but a Small proportion of dry land, which appears any way valuable either for Timber or Soil, but especially for Soil, it abounds with high hills and deep Hollows almost inaccessable to a Surveyor. I am of opinion that if the inhabatants of the Moon are capable of receiving the same advantages from the earth which we do from the world I say, if it be so, this same famed track of land would afford a variety of beutiful lunar Spots not unworthy the eye of a Philosopher.

I cannot think that ten acre lotts on such pits and hills will possably meet with purchasers, unless, like a pig in a poke it be kept out of view. Would it not be more advantage to the State if the Legislature would alter the law, that a Town and a reasonable Number of out lotts, for the accomodation of the Town be laid out the remainder of the lands be laid out 200 Acre lotts fronting on the River where practicable and extending back so as to include the hilly and uneven ground, which might be of some use to a farm.

I cannot believe but that Coll Lowry and Coll Irwin, both members of the Assembly and who knows the land well, will on consideration be of Union with me, that small lotts on the sides of those hills can never be of use for any purpose but as above Mentioned. Perhaps Council may think proper to lay the matter before the legislature. I shall go on to do the business as soon as the wheather will admit and before I shall have proceeded further than my accord with the plan here proposed I may have the necessary information wheather to go on as the law now directs, or Not. I have the Honor to be your Excellencys and the Honorable the Councils most obedient Servant