My dear Brother,

My intention of writing you for two weeks past have been of the best character, but somehow I haven't carried them out. Two things I intended telling you about. 1^st The Inebriate Asylum Medical Board. I have been sounding out all parties in the [ropes?], & I find, first, that it will require any amount of dirty work to secure even a slight chance; second, that if any but an old Canadian practitioner is appointed there would be such a hue & cry raised that the party in power would not dare to do it; [?] & weightiest; that several of the applicants are medical men who have stumbled the country at elections for the present ministry, & that even were a skilful & able Canadian Physician to apply his chances would be nil against the candidates above mentioned. So you see how fruitless would be the labor under the circumstances. Indeed personal friends well acquainted with the inside workings have urged me that it could be productive of only harm to attempt to bring you forward. So I fear this situation must go.

2^nd--As to Long Point Stock--I have something better in view. There is a large tract of about 16 square miles near Chatham that it is possible to acquire from the grower. Some of the Long Point men--& men of means have spoken to me of this--the location for game is better--not only duck, but hare & wild geese. Some others are going to investigate the matter with me, & if certain rights can be purchased, we will go in for it; & in four years have a better place than Long Point, more than clear our own expenditure, & have life interests. But of this I can write you more fully when some titles have been searched in the Town & registry offices.

Now, my boy, I want to write about something, & I hope you'll not be annoyed, but take it in the spirit intended. 'Dont look a gift-horse in the mouth.' And I don't want to do that. But in the case of the 'dorg' sent Mary, no doubt the people who let you have it represented that they were doing you a great favour, & gave you something valuable, and probably occasionally remind you of the fact; and this is the only reason that induces me to inform you of the matter. The fact is after trying every experience we had to give her away to Peter. She was so dirty that she was ruining carpets & oil-cloth alike. It commenced the first night she was in the house & continued with only a few intermissions; but I concealed it from Mary for a couple of weeks or more. Let her out of the house, and she would make a mess five minutes after she came in. All the usual means of breaking her of it failed. At last Miss Henwood's inventive genius suggested what we thought would prove successful: to put a good quantity of pepper into it & then rub her nose & whack her, but of no effect. She has evidently always been in the habit of it, as she makes no effort to get outside; in fact, prefers performing indoors. So when she came in heat, I put her to a good dog, & will see what can be done with a pup. Now I hope you will pardon my alluding to this, but Mary at first suggested that you ought to know of it for the reason above given, that false representations were made to you about it. I know it is rather a delicate matter. But if I had taken a good deal of pain to obtain a nice article for a person, & thought I had, & that article turned out worthless, I would certainly prefer to know the fact, & not labor under a mistake, especially when I felt myself under obligation to people who obtained me the article when I really anything but ought to be obliged. So you will not be put out, will you? Just got your letter--father handed it to me--about Laurel Dodge--wrote her early last week--& just now telegraphed her. Will write you again soon. Please acknowledge draft.

As ever yours

I.B. McQuesten [Isaac Baldwin McQuesten]