Brandon  Oct. 7, 1821

Ever dear Samuel,
		I received your last on the 19 Sept.[?] <s>had it been practicable</s> and should have been glad to have answered it before this, had it been in my power.  I have been so busy employed in putting together a couple of Grass bonnets for several weeks past, that it would have been impossible for me to have obtained five moments leisure in any day unless after eleven or twelve o clock at night  One of these bonnets and half of the other belong to me, the other half belongs to sister L.  We exhibited them by our agent S.S. Conant, last thursday at the fair in Castleton and obtained on them a small premium.  They were admired by all who saw them.  They are now in possession of J Barret & Co. of Rutland for sale  We hope they will sell for twenty dollars each  I have made but one other  This Chauny Conant purchased as soon as it was made for his wife  I expect $10 for it.  Grass bonnets cannot be made so cheap as I have first hoped they would be.  But I think I shall be able to make handsome profits on them  When well manufactured they will be far superior in  beauty to any imported leghorn.  Br. Isaac advises to send one of superior quality to Congress during their next session.  He thinks they will not be less liberal in encouraging our domestic manufacture than what the british have been  The society in england for the promotion of the arts and sciences have awarded the famous Miss Woodhouse, now Mrs. Wells of Wethersfield Con. For the grass bonnet which she made 1819, a premium of nearly $100,  besides the silver medal of the society.  Others have advised to present a bonnet to the lady of president Munrou [sic] if he has one