Letters from an American Farmer: History of Andrew, the Hebridean Summary & Analysis

James will leave it up to historians to record America’s political history and the stories of its founding; he is interested in less weighty stories. So he presents here the story of a simple Scottish man, even though there’s nothing amazing about it. He simply wants to show how a poor man moved “from oppression to freedom,” not by remarkable means, but simply through emigration and virtue.

Thinking about emigrants in general reminds James of his own grandfather, which prompts him to praise William Penn, “thou best of legislators,” whose laws gave men dignity and set an example for other colonists. Returning to his story, in 1770, James purchased some lands intended for one of his sons and went to make sure they’d been properly surveyed. While in the woods, he encountered a group of Indians who’d just killed a bear. He had some peach brandy, so they all shook hands and settled around a fire to share a feast.

James then had to travel to Philadelphia to have the land deeds properly recorded. Though this was a journey of over 200 miles, James didn’t mind, because he had so many friends along the way. On the third night, he stayed with Mr.--- (friend B.), whom Mr. F.B. has met before. He thinks B.’s family is the finest he knows. While complimenting B.’s wife’s wonderful hospitality, James learns that her grandmother was the first female child born after the arrival of William Penn, so she was named Philadelphia, and B.’s wife is named the same. After this friendly visit, James travels on to the city.

While there, James hears that a vessel filled with Scottish emigrants has arrived. James goes with his friend Mr. C. to watch the newcomers disembark. Most of them are pale and thin but appear vigorous. The people of the city give them lodging and provisions; Mr. C. brings one emigrant, with his wife and teenaged son, back to his house. The man feasts his eyes on everything and remarks that it’s nicer than Glasgow or Greenock, Scotland. He comes from the island of Barra.

James asks him questions about Barra, and the man, Andrew, describes the island’s barren soil and how everybody but the laird (landlord) was poor, which is why he’s come to America. He has brought nothing with him but a letter of introduction from his minister and a little bit of money. James explains that Andrew will have to prove himself in America. He promises to teach Andrew how to handle an axe and to set up him, his wife, and their son with work and lodging for the time being. Andrew weeps with gratitude.

James asks Andrew lots of questions about life in the Hebrides. Andrew explains that everyone survives by means of subsistence farming, and that just barely. While they weren’t oppressed by their rulers, they simply couldn’t grow enough food to survive. James admires Andrew’s simple religion and morals, but figures they will transform on American soil, since “we are machines fashioned by every circumstance around us.”

At James’s farm, Andrew proves to be teachable, soon becomes proficient, and eventually begins earning a living on another farm. After a year at Mr. P.R.’s farm, Andrew tells James that he wants to buy his own land, and James agrees to help him a little later in the spring.

A few days later, Andrew is sitting and reading the Bible in his employer’s house when nine Indians arrive. Not knowing the Indians are Mr. P.R.’s friends, Andrew thinks they’re a group of lawless robbers and runs for his Scottish broadsword. The visitors are unimpressed by the sword and refuse to leave, eventually frightening Andrew with a war whoop. They laugh uproariously at him. Eventually, Andrew finds Mr. P.R., who calms him down and explains that the Indians are welcome in his house, just as he is welcome in their wigwams. P.R. explains the situation to his friends in their language, and they shake hands with Andrew and smoke peaceably with him.

Soon after, James goes to visit his friend Mr. A.V., praises Andrew’s virtues, and persuades Mr. A.V. to lease Andrew 100 acres to start his own farm. As a condition of the lease, Andrew must also make certain improvements to the land, like planting trees and clearing a swamp. Mr. A.V. also reassures Andrew that no king’s or minister’s men can come to take the land away from him. Andrew is astonished and overwhelmed by all this.

So, now, Andrew is a freeholder, a voter, a resident, and a citizen of Pennsylvania. James gives him some supplies to start out with, and Andrew rents a room in a neighboring settler’s house. He begins by clearing a swamp, and soon his hard work earns admiration from his neighbors. Within two months, he is proficient at ploughing his land. When it’s time for him to build a house, James invites the whole neighborhood to a “frolic,” to which about 40 people show up. The people sing and tell stories as they work. While all this goes on, Andrew, overjoyed, goes from person to person, offering drinks. No rich man could have been happier with his mansion than Andrew was with his humble log dwelling. Everyone cheers for him and wishes him well, and a week later, he moves in.

Before long, Andrew begins raising animals and crops, fulfilling civic duties, and helping neighbors in his turn. Nowadays, he enjoys independence and ease, no longer having to worry about debts or rents. He is an example of “the happy effects” of “sobriety and industry, when united with good land and freedom.”