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Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour etre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche S droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant Ie nomore d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 A 6 b TWENTY FO UK LETTERS IRUM /^>\ LABOURERS IN AMERICA TO THEIR FRIENDS IN ENGLAND. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY EDWARD RAINFORD, RED LION PASSAGE, RED LION SQUARE. 1829. Pi tec Sixpence, i «^1 I I ^^liTc J(JN '■ 1933 TKINTEI) IIY RICHAIID TAYtOll, RED MON COUnX, FLEET STlltET. oOME of the parishes in the cast of Sussex have adopted the practice of sending ofl" annually, a part of their surplus population to America. The number of persons which has been sent from some districts is now very considerable ; and a frequent interchange of letters between the two countries has been the natural conse- quence. There is probably no part of the world where the la- bourer enjoys so large a proportion of the produce of his labour, as in the United States. There are not many countries where the land in cultivation is so productive, as that of the western States of the Union ; and where consequently the gross amount divided be- tween the labourer and his employer is so large. No method of conveying the knowledge of these important facts to the working poor of England seems more effectual, that than of publishing a fair specimen of the letters, written by labourers in that country to their friends of the same class here. In order to accomplish this object in a manner as free from suspicion of partiality as possible, I sent out two persons in oppo- site directions, with orders to call at all the cottages where they had reason to think that letters had been lately received from America. The first 24 which came in have been printed, with- out any other alteration than a little improvement in the spelling, where it was so bad as to render the sense obscure. Some of the letters which were rejected, were, perhaps, better worth publish- ing, than those which have been here given ; but to have made a selection, would have laid me open to the charge of concealing the truth. The demand for labour at New York and Philadelphia is so A 2 4i great, that the emigrants who ariivc cilhii in the ^\nwg oi m the autiiiiin, arc ccrlain to obtain innncdiatc employment; hut the spnnir is prclevablc on man> account^. The i>a>>a>ie,on llie aver- age of the whole year, horn l.iverpool to New ^ Ork, i> lo 4 10 Adults : — . ■ Passage 5 10 J'rovisions '2 10 S O This is the wholesale price ; for individuals it is more. It has been usual to give two pounds in money to the adults, and one pound for each child ; to support them after landing, till they can find em- ployment. To this must be added the expence of conveyance to the port where the embarkation takes place. Altogether, tlu; amount is rarely so great, as the charge of maintaining them at home for a single year on the parish allowance. Ilie greatest rate of the increase of population hitherto observed, under the most fa- vourable circumstances, has been in America. It has there dou- bled every 20 years. If we admit that the number of the labour- ing poor in a parish in England, increase at the same rate (which is'scarcely probable), it will be necessary to withdraw 1-GOth part annually, to keep the number stationary, and prevent the supply of labour from exceeding the demand. An easy method is here ailbrded of improving the condition of the labourers who go abroad as well as that of those who remain at home, and of re- Jtrictina the poor rate within limits not very difficult to calculate. It 1^ not iiuito^iljK;, ihiit soinu |RT->ons inriy tccl an ohu'CliKU to o;ivi> not p!eviou>l> ex- isted. But it must not be Im^otten, that when once a piuisii has chosen a point, to whu h to send their emigrants, it is not very ea-v io chan>'e. Every succcssise paity wishes to be near their friends, who have gone before. The incicase of the popuhilion and power of the United States, must necessarily be so rapid, tliat the small degree in which it will be accelerated by the addi- tion of our emigrants, can scarcely be of much importance. Of what moment can it be, whether they count '20 millions in the year 50 or in the year 51 ? Count them soon they must and will. But to renew the tie.- of brotherhood which have been broken, to cast off these petty jealousies and fears, to give and take freely what the wants of each nation demand, is true wisdom; and m no way arc these desirable objects so likely to be obtained, as by the natural ties which will result from a connected system of emigra- tion. But whether these hopes are destined to be realized or not, of one thing I am certain,— that no man can read the accounts con- tained in these letters, of the extraordinary liberality and kindness which our fellow countrymen in distress h?ve experienced, with- out feeling his heart warm towards our friends on the other side the Atlantic. Benjamin Smith. Mountfield, ne(ir llobL'rf.-ihivlgi:. Fcbriumj 20tlh H^^O- T. i: T T F. R S. Quecnsbiiry, New Drunswick, Deal 1-alhcr. ^'^ l^th, 1819. 1 ARIUVED ill Saint John the Kith day of June, after a disagre- able passage. We were struck with lightning in a storm, in which wc lost one of our sailors. When I came into the above place I saw no prospect of doing any thing there, and proceeded to Fre- dcrictons, and had many proposals made me there, but did not ac- cept them. I am now situated 120 miles up the river St. John ; the gentleman in whose employ I am has built me a house in which r now live. I am to have it, and 10 or 12 acres of land, rent free, for three years. 1 expect to be able to maintain my family on this, until I get land from Government. Every married man is entitled to 200 acres, and every single man 100. As to saying positively what labourers get, I could not ; but they are paid according to what they can do. I got five pounds the first month, and my diet. I must now tell you wc are not pestered with Revenue ofBcers. Wc arc a free people, free from rates and taxes. The following are the prices of provisions :— Flour, two pounds ten shillings per barrel of IQG pounds weight; butter, from Is. 3d. to Is. C)d. per pound; mutton and beef, from 5d. to 6d. per pound ; all wearing apparel are as dear again as in England, St. John river is a very iine river, so that brigs of any size can come from St. John to Fredericton. But from Fid to here, which is thirty miles, it is shallower. A man may catch as many fish in an hour, as would do for him and his family for a day. Along the above river it is but thinly inhabited, and very few back settlements. There is plenty of land, but we want men to work it. You would really wonder to see so many thousands of acres of woody land idle, and trood land. 1 had every idea of going to the States, but the ac- counts were so discouraging, that 1 would not go Uiere. I assure you there are nianv coming from the States here. Tell my brothers I ■4 M \ 5 that I ha\<; no (l()iil)t ;itui .i while thcv would would have to uiidt.i|r,,, before lhi!y woidd t^et sctllcd ; but if they (or I) wa> onee nttlid \wi\- thcu- would be no Uar but they would do well. Tell Willinni 'I'urnerand Sunuu 1 'rurner, that if they could come here and brui<,' their seiis^, they could be settled, pnjvided they had do/. ; or they could L^^ot land (clearetl) on the iialf part of what Uiey c ouKl rai.>e, and oxen to plough it. 'IMl William Glover, that 1 can ^ct a gentleman to send for hun next spring, and to send me an answer if he is willing to come or not. My wife would be obliged to her brother if Apps would send or take a copy of this letter to her father. \Vc are well, thanV God, and it is the sincere wish of your friend, that I may see you all here, but not until I hear something before you come, And am, dear Father : Yours truly aflectionntc, John Watson. N.B. Direct to Mr. John Ilustis, Quccnsbury County York, New Brunswick, British America, My wife would be obliged to you, when you write, to send word how all her friends are. Mr. Stephen Wutsoti, Sedlescomli, Comity of Sussex, England. Seneca, County of Ontario, State of New York, Dear Father, August 13tli, IbiJO, We left Brunswick on the 8th last March, 'J'he severity of the winter determined me to take this step. We proceeded up the river St. John towards Quebec. On our way we encountered great difficulties, arising from the cold, and the country being almost an entire wilderness through which wo passed. From Quebec we proceeded up the river St. Laurence to Montreal; from thence to Kingston, and up the lake to Niagara, where we crossed over into the United States, and travelled east into the State of New York \r\i\ n,\]. *!.., !'!-.;r!; = |-, ..-ft!,--.,-"' I {'■iT- it is in.1',- ".aiiiMjj^ wiiere' i 9 iK)\v live, l)iit ilij iiot intt ml h> iiinaiii liciclon^; the l;inii is all tak(Mi up, and ti)0 dear U)i a jjci^oii in my cirtiiin-taiiti's ti) l)iiy. Tlic ( )liio i> ui) ullimatc uI))(.;lI ; llicic land may \k- had iii plenty tui a dollar and a (|iiarlcr or .'>.s. (»e to you not to write till 1 wa< periectly sclllcd. you would not expect a letter so =oon as vou \\r\'j^'^ ^-i-.-r- 10 wise have done. 1 now consider myselt as so settled and thuugli I have some time ago written a letter to you, yet it may have mis- carried, and [ not only think it right that you should be acquainted with my situation, but I wish that you with all our family and friends could be with us. We have suffered many hardships as the statement of our journey will show you ; but they v ere occasioned by my being a str' . ^er to the country. You will recollect that I started with my wife and our children in the brig AVellington for St. John's, New Brunswick, where we arrived June 15th, 1819' after losing one of our mates by lightning and one seaman ; there we remain'd till March lath, 1820. New Indiana the winter too severe to profit much by farming. I determined to leave it, at all hazards ; 1 therefore with my wife got a hand-sleigh, in which I placed the children, and drew them on the ice up the St. John's river about 360 miles, Mary and myself walking drawing the chil- dren after us. You must also recollect that 100 miles of this was not settled being all wood. We arrived at the head of St. John's river. We travelled on in the same manner across snow and ice to the great river St. Laurence, about 180 miles below Quebec; there we found the country along the bank thickly settled. I then built myself a light waggon, and had all our family provisioned during the time of making the waggon for " I thank you j " the good people who were French Canadians wishing us very much to stay with them. In this waggon our children were drawn by myself for upwards of 400 miles to Kingston, at the mouth of the lake Ontario. There (as every other place, we met with iinconuiion kind- ness) ; a gentleman quite a stranger not only sent us by the steam- boat free of all expense to Fort George, but put 6 or 7 dollars in our pockets besides. From Fort George we crossed into the United States, and passed the summer at Geneva, Ontario County, New York State. Hearing a more favourable account "of the stale of Indiana, I once more started on a ramble, and travelling across the State of New Yoi".., I came to O'Lean Point on the Allegany river, which rivei, a very rapid one, I came down in a flat boat to Pitts- burgh ; here I stayed two days, and passing on, after being detained by head winds, and the water being very low, landed at Aurora, situated at the mouth of Uogan Creek. Here I found myself a stranger, without friends, acquaintance, utensils of any kind, or mouej^, having spent our last dollar a day or two before : added 11 to which myself and all oui family were caught by illness for G or 8 weeks, without the power of doing any thing. But no sooner was our situation known, tlian we had plenty of provisions brought to us, and as our strength recovered 1 obtaineil work at diging, &c. My wife took in sewing, and by degrees we have worked it to that I have C cows, 2 calves, 9 pigs, and 1 calf expected in August. James is now at school, and 1 intend to send two in the winter. 1 have joined with a farmer in cropping : that is I re- ceived one-half of the produce, and had the team found me. I now am working for an English gentleman named Harris, who is build- ing in Aurora, and owns four quarter sections up the Creek. Much good land can be bought far distant for 1 dollar and a ^ per acre, and improved land for not much more : indeed, so good is the prospect for a man who must live by industry, that I wish all my friends and acquaintance were here with me. I can safely say, I would not, nor would my Mary, return to England on any account whatever. We are now all in good health, and arc very desirous of hearing from you. Direct to John Watson, Aurora, Dearborn County, Indiana State, United States. I wish you would also be very particular not to put the letter into the post office, as it will be so long in coming ; but put it into the letter-bag of some ship bound to New York or Philadelphia. In the earnest desire of hear- ing from you, 1 remain, yours, John Watson. The best port for you to come, would be Philadelphia or Bal- timore. Mr. Stephen JVatsoUy Parish of Sedlesco.ab, near Battle, Sussex, Old England. Aurora, Dearborn County, InJiana, Dear Father and Mother, April 26th, 18i>3. I NOW write with greater pleasure than I have ever yet done, as it is in answer to yours, dated February the 'Jnd, the only one 1 have received ; the others I suppose must have gone to Canada, where you might think I was settled. It proved very gratifying to us to hear that vou all enjoy such general good health, excepting 12 father V'augluin ;inil sii^ter, who could not have been expected to remain long, having been ill .-o long. Though your letter was written l)y several persons wc cannot answer them separately, but nuist beg of you to read all to them. You should have mentioned who my brother .lames niarrii d ; we suppose it must be lleury Frccland's sister. We would recommend all our acquaintance who arc tired of paying tythes and taxes to come here, where tythes are unknown, and taxes hardly worth mentioning, compared to what they are with you. The only tax we have paid is 1 day's work on the road, and 50 cents, or 2s. .')(/. for 1 yoke of oxen. You say England is in a very bad state, and farmers are got very low. We would say, let them come here : we were worth nothing when we landed at this place, and now we have 1 yoke of oxen, 1 cow, 9 hogs, and we intend having another cow. We are not much concerned about Michaelmas and Lady-J)ay here, for as many farms as we chose, wc could have for paying ^ of the produce. Wc have just taken 10 acres upon these terms, and John is busily engaged in ploughing for corn ; he wishes his uncle Edward was with him to help. Brother Stephen inquires if he could get employment ; we answer that any person desirous of obtaining a living may do it, and that easily : if he comes let him bring all the munej/ he can, and what clothing he has; but not to spend any «io?/cy in buying unne- cessary things in England; here the money will pay him much better than there, in land. Rabbits and pigeons, particulaily the latter, arc very abundant ; and squirrels which are \ cry fine eating. There are also great plenty of fish in the river, for those who take the trouble to catch them. Partridges arc also very numerous, and wild turkeys. We bought 1 for C.3 cents or Is. 1 \(L of your money, which lasted us for \ meals. Meat we buy for '2 cento ;-«cr pound. John often talks of his grandmother, and says we could keep her without working. Whilst this letter is writing, my wife is eating preserved peaches and bread, and washing them down with gooil whiskey and water. When our last letter was written, 1 mentioned I was working for Mr. Harris, an En ' h gentleman; I am still working for them, and probably ^hall <\o .or some time. You express a wi>h to know all our children : .lohn, born April 'i'ind, I8()<) , James, October ISUi, 18[j; Naomi, February 7lh, IHl.j; Henry, April llth, iSlS; l'!,liza Anne, born .fanuary Cl^t, 18'21, m Lang- lev lo'vnshjp, on Megan Creek, Dearborn Count v, Indiana. Henry 1,> is very well, generally in mischief like all other cliildren, and received a kisi, as did all the others, from sister. All our friends who come, wc wouhl recomini:nd to come in an Jmcrkim ship, ami land eitiier at Baltimore or Philailclphia ; but we should advise them to start imiHL-dialely after landing- for the western Stales, as they adbnl a better prospect for poor people, or indeed any other, than the eastern or older States. Among many other advantages wc enjoy in this coimlry, we can make our own soap, candles, and sugars; which we make by tapping the maple tree, in the break- ing of the frost, and boiling the water down, clearing it with eggi; or°milk. We wish very much to see brother \\'iUiam and Stephen : if thev come they cannot be in a worse situation than we were when we landed, and for many months after: but then their pros- pects would be beUer than by remaining in England. Our bro- ther WiUiam, sister Sarah, and our dear mother must not be hurt if we did not mention them in our last letter ; it was not an inten- tional neglect, for uur aiFections for them are as strong as ever, and very often do we wish they were here ; for we think it would be much better for them, as well as Wilham Glover, of whom wc wish to hear,— nothing being said of him in your letter. INIary begs you will be particular in mentioning her relations in your next letter, which you must not be angry if we ask to be written closer, so as to contain more information ; as the postage of letters is rather expensive ; not that we grudge the money, but wc think the sheet might be made to hold more. And now, our dear Father and Mother, as it is not very likely that we shah meet on this side the grave, may it be our fervent prayer, that in the life to come, where there shall be no alloy, n(j griefs or diHiculties, we may all unite; and there may you with all the blessed, salute your ever dutiful and af^'cctionate children, John and xMahy Watson. P.S. If Stephen comes, w^e wish him to bring some rye-grass, trefoil, /;/-oom >iecd, cabbage seeds, and all garden seeds. Be sure if he does come, or any others of our friends, to let us know as soon as possible. Mary has just made a bushel of soap, which cost me nothing but her attention and a little labour. Those animals called in your country Excisemen, arc not known in this country, so that 14 we boil soap, make candles, gather hops, and many other things, without fear, which you 7Kiist not do. We are under no fear about our children not having food : we have finer pork and fowls than you have, and plenty of them. Fowls are sold from 2s. 3d. to 3s.-i^d. per .^ozen; pork at Irf. per lb. ; eggs \^d. for six dozen. Mr. Stephen JValson, Sen., Sedle:^rcinb, mar Battle, Sussex, Old Ftigland. Per first packet from New York to Liverpool } Paid to New York. Dear Father and Mother, Aurora, March 9th, 1825. It is now two years since we heard from you, excepting in a letter from brother Stephen, saying you were all well. We are longing to hear what you are all doing, the particulars of all the family: when you sent the letter, you did not say any thing about William and Sarah, neither who James and Ann was married to. I want to know what is become of William Glover, and whether he loves drink as well as he used to do ; if he does, tell him there is plenty of whiskey here ; if a man wants to kill himself, he need not be long about it, for he may get a gallon a day and his board ; but I hope better things of him ; 1 hope he has seen into the folly of it before this. We should be very glad to hear from all our friends : we think they would do a great deal better here than in England : we cannot think what makes so many of them go back, for we would not come back again for Mr. Tilden Smith's farm and all he has got. The poor home-sick things ! were it not for their poor children, we would not care if they went to bed without supper all their lives. As for brother Stephen, we should like to know if he is gone back too ; for we expected him this last winter, but have been disappointed ; we are rather uneasy at not receiving a letter be- fore this ; if you knew any thing about him, we should be glad if you would let us know. We are still farming, have got this season about 10 acres of very promising wheat, 7 acres of oats, 13 acres of corn, 1 acre for (lax, between 1 and 2 acres for potatoes and ■'>'i.ijcr iTsruiJii oiuii. -117 l._ ^'-/l. It lk\Jl^\^j 1* > x-zi^u \^» 15 of young steers, a milch cow, and plenty of pigs and fowls. There arc plenty of English people in and around our neighbourhood : we rent land of an English woman, (true enough, for / have writ- ten this letter). Wc feel ourselves at home among the people : we have regular preaching by the Methodists and Baptists, but no parsons to tythe us. We make our own soap and candles; vc have just got between 40 and 50 yards of linen from the loom, from our last years llax. Land is 1;^ per acre Congress price j but land near the Ohio is chiefly taken up, and higher priced. We live a mile from the river. Aurora is on the bank of the Ohio, so of course wc arc the same distance from it. Wc have another little daughter named Sarah Joanna ; she was born the COth of February, 1824; the other children are all well; John is grown very much lately, he is almost like a man ; he has just been out a month, and earned himself a summer's suit of clothes, though he is employed at home on the farm. I let him have his wish; he sends his best respects to his grandmother. There is plenty of walnuts, hickory-nuts, wild grapes, plums, &c. in the woods; peaches grow in great abundance ; the trees bear in 3 years from the stone. Apples, melons, pumpkins, and a variety of other fruits are very easily raised. Write soon, and direct to John Watson, Aurora, Dearborn County, Indiana. From your aflfcctionate Son and Daughter, ' John and Mary Watson. P.S. We should be very happy to see you, but as we do not expect to sec you this side of Eternity, we beseech you to prepare for the awful day, when we must all give account of the deeds done in the body, it is the one thing needful ; do not put it ofF till it is too late, but lly to the arms of a bleeding Redeemer, who is willing to save you. ilir. Stephen IVatson, Sedlescomb, Battle. Dear Father and Mother, Dearborn County, Indiana, November 29th, 1828. We gladly embrace this opportunity of writing to you, to say that wc aic all enjoying i^ood hcullh at present, and wc sincerely l(i liope that at the perusal of these few lines you will be the saruo. Wc received your letter ^Joveinber 8th, which gave us great satis- faction that you are well, and we are glad to hear that some of you intend coming to America ; and we greatly desire that you would all c(jme to this rich fertile country ; for we assure you that there is suflicicnt room for you all in this Palestine land ; though we do not believe every part of America so good as where we live, and especially tlie part of America where brother Stephen lives ; for we know by experience, that it is not half so good a country for a poor man to get a living, as where we are, though they are well satisfied where they live, and we believe their country far better than Old England. Yet we know that their country is not half so good a part of America as where we live. But they know no better, for they have not travelled through America to see tue dif- ference. But it is not so with us ; for we travelled 200() or oOOO miles through America before we settled ourselves ; therefore wc arc better judges than they can be. Here you can rent land by giving one third of what is raised on the land ; and a man can get 18 pounds of pork or beef for a day's work, or 3 pecks of wheat, and every other kind of provision cheap accordingly. Men who labour by the day get the above articles, and are boarded in time of doing the work. We arc highly gratified to think of father and mother coming, and more so shall we be if you all will come. Wc advise you to come to New York, and up the river to Albany, where Stephen lives. There you can get information of the road to n)y house ; but if so be that you are willing to come to us without coming by Stephen, we think it much the best for you to land at Baltimore, and come from there to Pittsburgh on the Ohio river, where you can get a passage in the steam-boat for a very few dollars to A urora, within five miles of my house. It would be a great deal cheaper and nigher from Baltimore or Philadelphia than Albany, from either of the three ports. You must inquire for Pittsburgh on the Ohio river. We want you to fetch with you, early-york, sugar- loaf, curtle, savoy, and red-cabbage seeds ; and trefoil, lucerne, and a little broom seed ; and we wish you to tell James Bridges to come to America if he can, for we know that he can get a comfortable living with half the labour he has to do at home. Plenty of land can be bought within 20 miles of our house for one dollar and a nnnrtpr ner D.cre. Wo advise vou to romc in an American ship ; 17 and, tiiially, we think it too tedious to mention all the good things in America, but invite you to come and sec fur yourselves. So no more at present from your atFectionate son and daughter, John and Mary Watson. ^ by Albany, Dear Father and Mother, October 5th, 1823. This comes with our kind love to you, and all brothers and sisters, and all friends, hoping to find vou all in good health ; for all our children have been ill with their insides witli fresh food : and we are got to Albany safe. We was about 7 weeks on passauc to Ne^v York. We stopt at New York a week, and then sail'd to Albany, which is UJj miles; and we was sea-sick about \6 days: and 1 went up to Utica, which is y() mile?, and 1 could not find the country any better up there than at Albany; so I returned back to my family again. And a gentleman has took Jane, and he is to keep and clotlie, and to send her to school ; and Thomas, Mr. William Fisher has taken. And John Gardiner has found his brothers ; and James Gardiner is moved from where he was at first : and we see Richard Cutney at New York, and he was very well ; and he talked of coming to England again, and to send a par- ticular account what Thomas Iloaf said when he got back to En- gland. But not to make yourselves any ways uneasy about us ne'er the more for his coming back ; for if we can't get a living, here is a poor-house, just the same as in England; and th§y will keep us till the spring, and then send us back to Englai^J ; for there is thousands of Irish here. And if I can't support my family, I shall come back in the spring ; for if a man can't support his family, they will send him back in the spring to England again : for I had not got half money enough to get up to my brother; so I wrote to him, and I have not had any answer as yet ; but when I get an answer I will send to you again ; and I can't give you any good account about coming as yet, for there is so many Irish keep coming every day, and they work so cheap, that it makes it bad for laboring people : and we live neighbours with James Fisher and Richard Fuller from Bodiam. And the ways of the people and the country is very different from what they are in England; and the land is not half so good ; for when they clear land, as they call it, they chop the 18 wood ofi'uboiit 2 feet from tlie ground, and then plough a bow be- tween the stubs : and it is most the Indian corn in this part of the country. William's at work filling waggons with the stuff' that comes out of the canal. I have 4 dollars per week. A dollar is 8 shillings of New York slate money. People work very hard here ; for they work from sun-rising till sun-set : cattle the same. And beef is from 2 cents to 4 cents per pound ; and there is a hundred cents in a dollar. But the meat is not so fat as it is in England. Tobacco is from Is. to 2s. per pound; and clothing is about as it is in Eng- land; and shoes are about the same, but the leather is not so good. No nails, only sparrowbills about. Here, in summer, half the peo- ple go without shoes, stockings, and caps. And there is plenty of apples ; you may buy them from Is. 8 cents to 3s. per bushel of diis money; and peaches very cheap. And tell my father and Henry Osborn I have not seen a Vohoo as yet: but if 1 come home in the spring I will bring them home some tobacco ; and tell my mother I will bring her some tea ; for we can get it for 2s. per pound this money. And we desire you to remember our loves to Levi Crouch and his wife ; and Stephen and Elizabeth give their love to Eliza- beth's dear mother : and if we can't get a comfortable living here, we shall see her again in the spring. But Elizabeth likes this country very well as yet : and 1 should be glad if Edward would take this letter to Rye to Elizabeth's mother as soon as possible ; and for them to send us an answer about all things, as soon as they can. And we have got 2 young Shuts to live upon this winter : and to tell George Noakes to make himself contented where he is till I can give a more particular account of the country ; for if I can get a comfortable living here, I will send him word ; and if not, I shall come home in the spring. And tell Charles Jempson I drank tea with his sister in New York, and she is very well. And please to give- our best respects to Mrs. Smith, and tell her we got over pretty well. So more at present from Your dutiful son and daughter, S. Watson. Stephen and Elizabeth Watson. Direct to me to be left at Thomas Selby's, South Market Street, No. 635, Albany, State of New York. For Mr. Stephen fVatson, Sedlescomby ♦i*/ir Tiftttlf. Sutipr. Olrl V.ncrlnnd. 19 Albany, i)ear MdiIici, October ~'7tli, 1h5.'{. I WOULD have wrote l)cf()io lliis, !jut coulil not write you pleasant news; as Stephen has been so unha|)j)y in a strange country, but is now contented and doing well, lie earns 8.s. a day and liis board. \Vc meet with many friends. We have been fortunate in getting good places for our children : Jane is with a Quaker gentleman in (Connecticut, who has token her as his own ; he will send her to school all winter, ^^'e were all sick tor iG days. We were rejoiced to see land once more. W'e met u ith many friends on board the vessel: Stephen received many presents from them. We had })lenty provision, and sold a good deal when we landed. Jane was in the cabin all the way over; she waited on the ladies: they gave her 4 dollars tor her services. It is impossible for us to get to brother John, as he is 1400 miles from Albany: it would be very expensive; as we can do better here. I wish you to get Stephen's mother to uiite, and let ine know if you received my letter. You may tell Cieorge Noakes we will write to him soon, and tell him all the particulars. If you please you n;ay send this letter to Stephen's mother, and this will answer for both. Naomi is gone to live with Mr. Moulton at Utica, and likes the place well: James is going to the same place. Stephen is sorry that he did not bring you along ; you could do much better here : — for washing 4s. a day, and other work accordingly. I never was so happy in my life as I am now: 1 never wisli to go back to England. Do not grieve for me : if we never meet in this world, we will meet in the world to come, to part no more. Look to the Lord for comfort, is the wish of your affectionate daughter, Mary Green. ELIZABETH WatsoN. N.B. Stephen saws with Richard Fuller. We live in the house with them. We have a good house. 1 have a good oven, and all things convenient. I would be glad to hear from you all as soon as possible. The law is the same here for the poor as tliere, I must conclude with my love to all. Mary Green. ELIZABETH WaTSON. Direct to me at Mr. Thomas Selsby, South Market Street, No. ojo, Albany State, New York. B 2 ilU Albany, Honoured Fatliei and Mother, March ii9th, IH'24. \\ E r(>cci%cd yuur Icllcr un ihcC3id instant, and arc happy to hear you are all in good health, as it leaves us. I have to infurni you that I have had a good winter's work at sawing, and have no rea- son to complain of America. I don't wish to persuade any person to come to this country; but 1 am doing better here than i was in England. A man by industry can get a good living here. I was soon discouraged when I first came over; but now I am more used to the ways and customs of the people, I like it better. My wite likes the country much. My family are all in good health; Jane likes her place very much; she lives with Captain Champlin, who sends her to school to learn to read and write : sjie wrote a letter some time ago, which was written quite wx>ll for her. Thomas and Naomi are both living with a Mr. Moulton: and Naomi says she does not want to come home again. You must not be in any trouble about me, nor mind what Mr. RofTe says about it; for he did not stay to try the place : he did not do any work while he was here. He was ofTered 8 guineas, or CI dollars, for 3 weeks' work, to dry hops, but was afraid he should not be paid ; but the man who did do it got his pay, for I have seen him since. I make no doubt if George Noakes comes, he can get a hving for his family. I desire to be remembered to Robert, Edward, and Samuel Fisher: tell them their brothers and sisters are all well. We both desire to be remembered to my wife's mother. I have had one letter from my brother, and he wishes me to come up to him ; but as I am doing so well, I think of staying here at present. Give our loves to all our brothers and sisters ; and ask William if he thinks there is any salt in America. If you was here I could get you a quart of gin for a shiUing. Betty says if old Stephen was here he should have one good drunken frolic. I have seen a good many old acquaintance in Albany. Henry Soan and his wife a^e now at my house. There are so many English people here, that it seems much like home. We don't begrudge any one the pleasure we left be- hind us, tor we are a good deal better off: the laws of this country are as good as in England ; the poor are well taken care of : there is a large house in this place for the accommodation of the old and infirm, that are not able to work. W e can get our children educated «1 better than we could at your plarc. The i"'ice School here is on the Lancastrian system, it has 400 scholars ; both rich and poor, who pay accoidinii; to their abihties ; some pay I dollar a (juarter, and some not more than a Miillinir ncrluiir : the srh(jlars are tauaht rcadinii, writini;, arithmetic, geography, &.c. &.c. W'c remain, Your dutiful children, Stephen and Elizabeth Watson. To Mr. Stephen IVatsov, Sedd/escomh, near Battle, Sussex, Great Britain. Albany, My Dear Grandparent?, October 27th, 1825. Pa RTI V in compliance with your request to know about America, and partly for my paternal solicitude for you, I again resume the pen. Wc arc all well in health, and we hope you are enjoying the same blessing. It would be very agreeable for me to see my English friends, but I don't wish to return to England again. I hke America much the best : it is a very plentiful country. A person may get a very good hving here if they are industrious. My father is doing very well, and is very well satisfied to stay in this country, tie has got a cow of his own, and nine hogs. My mother has been lately confined of a daughter; she is very hearty; her name is Sarah Anne. Little Myram is a very pretty child ; we think very much of her: I think she is indulged too much in hav- ing her own way. Thomas and Naomi are living out. Thomas is living in the country widi Mr. Fisher. I have spent two years out to the eastward, with the captain I came over with ; 1 took much comfort and consolation with them in the two years. But now 1 am returned home to my parents. 1 like living in Albany better than I did to the east. 1 have been very fortunate; I have got good clothes, and 1 can dress as well as any lady in Sedles- comb. I can enjoy a silk and white frock, and crape frock and crape veil and Morocco shoes, without a parish grumbling about it. If you are not dressed well here, you are not respected. The girls here that go out to doing house-work, dre>^ as wcii a-, any •i2 \Miy ill Scdleiconib. I ilun'i ihink of going to Meeting with loatljcr shoes on: we wear Morocco and rrunclhi. Altogether l.tghorn Imts are worn here very much; Miaw bonnets arc very line and hand.vnue: I have got one cost about twenty-four i^iiiUings. 1 had a present of a very handsome, long, kersymere shawl, by Captain Champlin; he brought it me from London; it cost abo-.U forty- eight shillings. You cannot tell the poor from the rich here ; they are dressed as good as the other : you can get things just as well as you can in England. We have wrote to uncle John, but have received no answer : father wants you to write us word whether he has written to you since you received our letter. We want uncle William to come over to America very nmch; and if he comes, to bring some ferrets with him, for they have none hero. If you come on board a ship that has got cabin pas- scngcrs in it, you can get plenty of fresh meat for them. Dear uncle, you must be sure and come, and bring all your working tools with you. I was surprised to hear of my uncle Ivlward's marriage ; but I hope he has got a good wife, and I wish them both well and a happy journey through life. Give my love to all ray uncles and aunts and cousins, and all incpiiring friends. I think my young acquaintance have forgotten me ; I never hear any thing about them in your letters : tell them I think about them very often. Give my love to Harriot Crouch, and send me word whether she i3 married yet : tell her I want to know. Give my respects to mv beloved grandmother in Rye with much alTection. Brogil sends his love to her; he says he can remember her mother. And father wishes to be remembered to her, as their beloved moth.r. Mother says she wishes she had brought her with us ; she hae thought more about her since we iiave been in America, than ever she ilid in her life before : have not found many trials in coming to -America. Don't be discouraged now because some come back. J)on't do as Mr. Roof did, stop on shore, and before you know any thing about the place, go right back again. Any respectable person may get a good living by industry : it is a good place for young people; they can get good wages for their work. Naomi gets 18 shillings a month, and I get '24. I was lothe to leave my EngUsh fiiends, but thank God we are all much better situated here : it was the best thing that ever father did for his family to take them to America. Tell aunt and uncle William they must 93 not be diBCouragod about coniing. but be »ure and come if the parish will send ihein. \V'c di)u't live but a very little way ofl' from New York. It is a very pleasant sail up to Albany ; there are many pretty places going up the river too. Albany is about as large as Uyc. There are many English \h:o\Ac here : the Fishers and Fullers, that come from Ewhurst. James Gardiner has lately got a child. William and John came down from Utica in the stage-coach to our house, and drank tea with us : very vncU cloth- ed, and plenty of moncv. and very well satisfied in America ; ihcy have plenty of employment. They did not leave any word in particular to send to England. John said he wanted to write home, but did not like to get any one to write it : he was going to tell me what to send in my letter, but he went away in a hurry, and had not time. Wee.xpect them back to see i.s t'lis winter. The people here are very good about education, much more so than thev are in England. Mother and father wishes to be remember, ed to you, dear grandmother and grandfather, and to all other friends. I hope ycju will not be oflended at my writing to you so soon : we hope you will write to us as soon as you get this letter, and send word whether uncle is a coming or not. 1 was sorry to hear, the parish said they would not send any more. FaUier has had a very good summer's work, a sawing ; he is now at work in the malt-house for this winter. We have got a very good house to live in, and well furnished ; better than we had it in England. Please to excuse this writing, as I am a new beginner : it is a great pleasure for me to write to you ; for the anticipation of ever seeing you again is totally relinquished from my mind. I have nothing more at present to say to you in particular. Adieu. Adieu. 1 am, with particular respect, Dear Grandparents, Your very aflectionate gramd-daughter, Mary Jane Watson To Absent Friends : — When in scenes of distant joy You move with footsteps free, Soft to your heart this gentle stream Shall say, remember me. Mary Jane Watsow. Stephen and Sarah Watson, Footland. Mr. Stephen JVatson, Sedlcscomb, near Baltic, Sussex, Old England. '21 Albany, My Dear Grandmother, April 11th, 1826. We received your letter on the 10th of April, and was very glad to hear from you. We arc all well in health, and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. \\ c received a letter from uncle John on the 7th of this month, requesting ns to write imme- diately to you, to tell you not to write to him till he writes to you ; for he has gone from Aurora to Mississippi, and thinks of settling on the Mississippi river. He stated as follows in his letter : — " Dear Brother, We wish you to write to England immediately, and let father and mother know that we received their letler, dated July, in the be- ginning of this month : it must have laid a long while in the post- office. They wanted to know particularly about Morgan. Tell them we have never heard nor seen any thing of him since we parted in York State. Tell William we are astonished at him doubting the truths of our letters : w^e can assure him, the letters don't get altered before they reach him. America is as good as we have stated before; and he would find it so if he had heart enough to come. When he lu-.s, he can easily get victuals to eat : we have no lack of good food. They may have a good opportunity of knowing all about us this next summer; as one of our neigh- bours is going to England, on business : it is the same person we rented land of these last two years. She is a widow, and knows all our affairs : you may depend on her honesty ; she can tell you pretty much as if we was there ourselves. She does not expect to be there before July or August : she will write to father when she gets there. And if he will take the trouble to go to Yorkshire, he will have good entertainment, free of expense, except coach- fare ; we should be uncommonly glad if father could spare n)oncy enough to go." This ends the copy of uncle John's letter. Tell aunt Gardiner, John was down to Albany about two weeks ago from Utica. He said, James had been very sick, near two months, but was got better, and able to work. William is down the canal to work, a sawing. John is gone down again this spring : he came up to Albany the beginning of January. James has got a good i)luce, at a hundred dollars a year; and his house- rent and fne- wciud found him, and as much cider as he wants to '2.5 drink : and lie is doing very well. James has drinked very much since he has been in this country. John and William liave been very sober and industrious; and a great help to James, both in sickness and in health. Tell aunt she need not be in any trouble about her sons, for they are doing very well. Tell her she would not know John if she was to see him ; for he is altered both in speech, looks, and dress : he is very polite. Dorcas has got five children, the oldest girl is living out. I will write to James as soon as 1 can. John left directions where to write to James, but we have lost it : they live in Henkimen village, this side of Utica. Mrs. Hannah wishes grandmother would go to Mr. Fuller's, and tell them she thinks it very strange she don't hear from them : she has not had a letter for this two years. They are very well, and doing well. Give my love to Thomas and grandmother at Rye, and ask her if she will come over here if 1 come over for her. I was very glad to hear that she was doing pretty well : if 1 could only see her once more, I would give all that I have in possession. Father and mother sends their kind love to grandmother at Rye, and they wish they had brought her with them. Mother hopes you will louk to grandmother, for she has nobody to take care of her. iSl other and father send their kind love to you and grandfather, and aunt and uncle Lawrence, tell them we wish they was here. Our love to aunt and uncle Freeland : tell them,— will not promise them, — I think if I can get a chance with the captain 1 came over with, I shall come back to England to visit them all in a year or two. Mother and father wished to be remem- bered to all their sisters and brother, and to Mrs. Crouch and Mrs. Bryant. Give my love to Harriot Parks, and tell her 1 should like to sec her and her son. Aunt xVJary has sent a letter to her brother John, and has received no answer. 1 told you in the last letter, that Albany was about as large as Rye; but they tell me it is three times as large, and very pleasant. Father says he has no reason to complain of America all the time he can get as good living as he gets now ; for he is happier than ever he was in his life: he has been sawing all winter with Mr. Fuller; they have as much as liey can do. He said he never will leave Albany while he can do as well as he does now. FathiM" said, yo'i said if he came to America he cduUI not gel bark again ; but '-ti could cume back very well. I'alhcr wi-lu'=: to be reuiem- bered to all enquiring friends, but cannot mention every one's name. I have no more at present ; so remember me to be your Aflbctionate grand-daughter, Mary Jane Watson. Mr. Stephen JVatson, Sedlescomh ,ear Battle, Sussex, Great Britain. Albany, My Dear Grandmother, December 27th, 1^27. It is a very snowy unpleasant day. I took a walk up to mother, and retired to write to you a few lines, which is a pleasure to me, and expect it will be pleasing to you. I was married on the 13th of November last, to a man in good circumstances ; and I am very comfortably situated. We neglected writing, because we expected a letter from uncle John. We have received a letter from him ; as I will give you a copy on the remainder of this sheet. W^e are enjoying a very good state of health, and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. Thomas, Naomi, and Eleanor, send their love to you, and would be very glad to see you. Uncle John wants us to go up to Indiana, but mother is not willing : she has got acquaintance here : and says she will stay here. Father and mother sends their love and lasting affection to you, and would be very happy to see you ; but fear they will not this side of the grave. But I hope you may all be prepared for to meet in a better world. James Parkes and his wife Harriot Grove arrived in Albany a little before I was married ; they saw me mairied. Tiiey lived with mother a little while ; and now they are moved over the river, in a place called Grecnbush, about two miles from u^, where they can have a good winter's work : they have got things comfortable in their house to use, and both seem contented. My dear grandmother! Oh that 1 could see you once more. We often regret that we did not bring you along with us : we did not know what wc should come to. I have not forgot your past kindness to me. I must conclude with wishin years oM, a^ :W^' .my he did fur us, and =ca-l/i.Lmb nul tit tui huo. lo tat. Vu.i will want bct^f thai is just salte.l. and a gcod ham of bacon. l)u not buy any clutl>cs, or any thing else ; but bring your money and buy thin-s here. 1 am sure no person can gain a larthmg by buying things in Endand and bringing them to America. I am sure you will be surprized to sec such a quantity of every thing. You would like the spirit of liberty that the people of this country possess; here arc some of the best laws in this country of any country m the world ; every man here thinks himself as much as the greatest man in the State of New York. Workmen here are not atraid of then- masters ; they all seem as equals. Mr. Selmes sends his best respects to you, and would be very glad to see you. \ ou must excuse my bad writing, for I cannot mend iny pen till my hand gets well. So no more from your uudutiful son and daughter, John and Hester Parks. Tell Charles to come if he possibly can in the spring. I cannot say how times arc in the country ; I have not been there. To Mr. James Parks, Eu-liurst near iSiorthiam, Sussex County, EvglnmL Grcenbush, Dear Father, ^^arch Idth, 18-38. It is with the greatest degree of pleasure that I take inv pen in hand to tell that we are all in good health ; in a fine country, where I have plenty of work at my trade, and well paid for doing a. The cause I diu not write to you before, was I wanteil to see the ways of the country a little first ; and as I wrote to Harriot, father, I thought you knew we were got here safe ; also I expectc^' some of the rest had wrote to you. I have had two letters fioin them, but they did not say whether they had wrote to you. Stephen Furner, John, Joseph, Henry, Philip, I believe are all where they was when I wrote before. Josiah has left his place at the tavern, and lives i, New York ; ami works at lime-burning, and is doing pretty well. I have left Albany ; 1 live across the River Hudson from Albany at a place called Green- bush. Greenbush is a village about like Burwash town. Albany is a very elegant city, stands on a rising ground on the banks t)t the Hudson River ; is a surprising place for trade. 'I'liere commcncc'^ the greatest canal [suppose tliat this woild produces; which goes above .']00 miles into the western country, and was all dug by hand. Before this was dug, great many farmers had to carry their corn and grain 2 and .300 miles to market with waggons ; but now they can bring it into the canal, and then it goes to market for a trifle, by the canal-boats. The Hudson Riveris most beautiful; every little ■way there is litde islands in it, some 10, some CO, some 40, 50 and 100 acres in an island ; all cultivated, and houses on them : there 's about '20 steam-boats up and down it, and J or 4 times as many sloops. We have had the mildest winter so far that was ever known, though some very cold weather. I believe America is the finest part of the world any man can get into; here 's no complaining we can't get a living ; and it 's a very foolish notion in England that the Americans don't live so well as tlu English, Tell Thomas Avann to come to America ; and tell him to leave his strap what he wears when he has nothing to eat in England, for some other half-starved slave. Tell Miriam there's no sending children to bed without a supper, or husbands to work without dinners in their bags, in this country. See if you can't make Americanites of the Wimbletots Company, Thank God I am not old ***,noryet ****'s slave: it is an erronious notion of you English, that if a man cannot through any misfortune maintain his family, that they may starve ; — it 's an abominable lie. We have poor-laws and poor-taxes : the tax in this town (for this country is divided into townships instead of parishes) amounts to about 30 or 40 dollars per year for the whole town; and there's more people than in Ewhurst. We have no gypsies, swing-kettles, pikies, tramps, beggars, &c, ; they arc not allowed to be about. In this country labourers do not go to work without knowing what they are a going to have before they begin work. Farmers by no means carry the sway in this country; but the meanest. And come by all means : come out of that worse than Egyptian bondage; and knowing the evils, persuade Harriot's friends and brothers to try to come. Check them of their Is. Gd, per day for me ; and tell them here is plenty of wood-cutting in this country. I cannot but persuade them and you, tell Levi and wife to try to come with you. You had best come away as soon as possible; as the latter part of the summer is not so well to come. And when you come, send me a letter as soon as vou know vou sre comuisi'. and \jim^- as let me know wliat tlie name ut tlie ^\\\\) i-*, and wlicn it will sail, and what liie Captain's name is if yon can ; and then perhaps I shallcome to New York to meet you. Direct to me, James Parks, to be left at Hcppingstall and Scot, Little State Street, Albany ; as 1 do not know how long I shall be in lirecnbush, and they will help it to me. If you come, what nu)ney you have bring in gold, and not go to buying of dollars in England ; as you can have a premium on gold here. 1 shall now tell you a little of our money. The only copper money we have is cents, about the size of a halfpenny. Our silver is sixpences, shillings, Pistoreens, that Is. Gd. each, ^ dollars, ^ dollars and dollars ; 100 cents is one dollar ; 1 /. of English in New York will buy 4 dollars 75 cents. I get 21 dollars a month, but most other trades get more ; and I mean to have more when my time is up, at the 1st of May. Carpenters get about 10 or 12 shillings a day ; bricklayers about the same as brick-makers. Tell Edward, Fisher gets very high wages : some will get 40 dollars per month, and board ; day-labourers get about 1 dollar per day, and in busy time in summer get their board into it. When you come, Harriot wants you to bring her () or 8 yards of lace, and 3 or 4 yards of net, for caps ; pretty good if you can. Be sure and don't let that infernal rogue lay in your provisions, nor any body else ; but see it all put up yourself. Dont bring a great deal of beef; and what you do, get a cask and salt it down yourself; for we had beef 2 years old not fit for a dog ; our tea was not half tea ; our oatmeal was half ground peas ; our split peas, gray peas ; our biscuits was the worst that could be got. Be sure to bring plenty of Hour, some dried ham, and other bacon, plenty of potatoes, plenty of butter, sugar, tea, coffee, oatmeal, patent grots, rice, salt, pepper, vinegar, a few bottles of port wine to make sap, if you are ill. Take care your biscu'ts are good : be sure to bring plenty of flour and rice ; don't be afraid of bringing too much, nor few. But you can sell what you don't want, but dont sell too soon. Great many in our vessel would give 3 times the value of a thing before they got over. Take ginger with vou for your sap ; plenty of rush candles : we had not near enough. Joseph is quite well; he has sold his nail'd half-boots to be put in the Museum in Albany. Harriot and children are quite well : remember us to all that inquire after us ; and tell the others that we expect we are more missed than wanted. We measure that by our own yards. I know that I come away a little in debt, but if I had btopt it \V(juUl li:tM.- bcLii vvoi- 1- ; 1 hope I ^liall selllc up belijie a great tiim: with llieiii, wliicli i mv .uu-iilioii. I want you to hi iii^ inca (luzeu of collar needle?^, niostoflhrni t week; have irot tw(j more tattm-. Charles Crouch lives with us; he has got a real little bantom cock and hen ; he gave four shillin;^s for them, .lolm, I believe, lives about 4 miles from York; at work at farmiiiL^-woik : was well the la-t I heard t)f him. Josiah lives about 20 miles west of Albany, learnintj to be a blacksmith ; gets B dollars per month and board : he was at my hou>c al)out 4 weeks ago ; was (piitc well. Joseph is where he war, in Albany : he says motlier was so afraid he wouUl not make out very well in America without hei"; and now lie is afraid you worn do very well there without him. I guess you would scarce know liim; he is grown this year, and dresses like a gentleman ; looks better than ever you see him : and I believe he is giving his heart to the Lord, and striving to please him. lie Ijas joined the ^letliodist society in Albany, and is a teacher in the. ■ Sunday-school. Henry is in Long Island, opposite York, learning to be a hatter; was well the last I heard of him. Philip I don't know whether he is in ^'ork with his old Ho-s or not; for he has had some notion of going to live where llem-y does, to learn that trade : it is not so bail to get places for boys here as in England. Daniel and Stei)hen could earn tlieir own living if you had them here. I give you my though t« of England and America in iIm^ following lines of my own make : — Stay in Eng- land who will ; 1 '11 never return till your tyrants are kind, or most ureallv reformed : but to such as would live independent of man, the advice I would give is come here if you can. Advice 1 have ju>t said, not persuasion at all, lest the place you should hate, and the blame on poor Jemmy should fall. — Try all you can pt)ssibly to get here in the spring. Try to get away as soon as possible, as to get here before the hot weather ifyovi can; and by so doing you will avoid danger by ice, which begins to get loose from the north, and lloat about the first of May. If you come, all * Boss is an American word fur master or employer; taken from the Dutclj of you take pliN^ic Uetoie you hlart : aiul uhc-n )ou go to tea, miiul aiul take care of vouiselve5 at lir>t ; for 1 almost lost my htc throu.'h ncL^lcct at first. If y.>u fuul your insides l)ouuil up. take gentle'piivsic ciuvcllv ; if on the opposite, tlien take a little s.)Uie- thing for that iniuieJiately. Mind your provision is good tor y..ur passaire ; for ours was not fit to board a dog over. 1 have a hope that I uiU see vou a^ain in this world; if 1 should not, li we arc found faithful HI Christ, we are assured that we will meet in a better country tlian America. So no more at present troni yours, &c., ,, JAMKS an.l llAUUH)'!' 1'AKKS. Bring Harriot some lace for caps. Dear Father and Mother, Rrouklvn, January Hth, 1828. I NOW take the pen to say a little of what has passed since we left En^dand. We had a long voyage; we had head winds nearly all the wav, and sometimes rough weather; in consequence of which, we were out of such provisions as we could eat, being sick : 'and our pork and beef and biscuits were a disgrace to Mr. Chapman ; and we chose to eat potatoes alone, and leave the black looking beef alone. LitUe Stephen caught a great cold, and was so ill, "that when we arrived we were obliged to remain, for he could not be dressed; and Mr. Offins was so kind as to take us in till we got a place to Uve in. But I should have said we arrived on the '2nd of November: we hired a room, and my husband bought a saw and went sawing wood and doing any thing, and we thought we should get through the winter pretty well ; but when we had been here about three weeks, husband was taken ill ; we were not aware that it was any thing but a cold ; it proved to be the typhus fever, and it is now six weeks smce he was taken, but he is now mending very fast. We have had no parish to apply to for relief; but you would be astonisheil at the friends we have found, or rather, that have found us : for people that were quite strangers, have called to know if a sick Englishman lived here; and one kind gentleman sent for a doctor ; and another -.....! ..1.1 :-=^.."t I ■..,;!;:! crf-.v." !v.H Ipavetoffo to tlic groccr's tor any thing m hisTame, and others were cciur.llv kind; m short I should never 35 ihuuglil I- tiiul -u.li fiuiul- among stiaiigcr.s liicy flccm to k-ci a great pleasure iii doiu;^ us good : ami we have to tliatik tlicni, and to praise tl>e Lord for all his mercies. I am as well a- UMial, and the children arc grovvin;4 till. Yon may have heard that James and Joseph went directly to Albany ; and James works at his trade. Joseph has got a good place at a cmiier's. John is at work as carpenter, for the winter ; his Boss gives him .xs. a ilay, our moiu y. which is a little more than '2s. (i(/. ILnidish money. Josiah is at New York at work, as lime-burner. Henry is ;30 miles up the country as apprentice to a hatter; he sent us word he likes it. Thilip is in New York at one Mr. Hogbins, formerly an apprentice to Mr. Burgess. Battle, he is not bound, he has only agreed for the wint°cr; he has a good place in one sense, but his master thinks like Mr. Ofilns ; but he says he has no objection to rhilip doing and thinking Ukc his father. Philip likes his place, and he earns a little for himself, and that gives him encouragemcMit ; he was here to-day, for I wash and mend for him. Incle David is at New York, I dont know what he is doing ; but Sam has plenty of work ; and the girls have all been at service, that they might be no bur- then to them; but Harriot is come home again. Mrs. Hayter, formerly H. Neve, has been to see us ; and she says that Anne might get a very good place here. They tell us that winter is a dead time in America ; but we have found it as well and better than we expected. We can get good Hour for 1 1 J. English money ; good beef for C nlT* 50 almost (l''|)n\r,l of any milwaul means; l.iit wo tni-^t our faces are Zioii-wanl; aiul wc- bcij an intercut in ])rayci?. And \vv nni^t tonc.liiclc. Stiimikv -.uu] Mautjia TruMK. I'll Mr. .Iiiii'cs l^iiiks. Sen., ('//y^scs ('(irncr, ru/nir^l, near lliltlc, Susic.r, Kii'j^LuiiL New HerctDiil. Deal I'alluT and Molhci, June yoth, 1«','8. I NOW lake the ()[)poi Uni'ity nf wriiinL!; lo you since our long jonrncv. I^it am very sorry to IcU yon, llialwo had the ini-^fortnne to loo-c boui onr liulcbovs; Iv.iwaid died <.!yth April, and W''- liain j\.\\ May ; llie yinniircr died with l>o\\el complaint ; li:e other wiUi the la-h-fever and scjre tluoat. We were very mneh lunt to liave theai buried ui a ualery gra\e: we mourn* d their loss; night and day they were not out of our mintls. "We had a minister on board, who prayed with u-; twice a day : he was a great comfort to us on tin? account of loo^in-^ our j)oor little children. He said, The Lord yave, and taketh away ; and blessed be the name of the Lord. We should make (Kusehes contented if we had our poor little children here with us: we kept our children '2-1 hours. There were (J children and one woman died in the vessel. Master I'.ran lost his wile. Mrs. Co>hman, from r>odi;im, lost her '2 only children. My sisirr NLary and her '2 children are living at Olbourn, about 80 mile- from us. Little Caroline and father is living with us ; and our :5 brothers are living within a mile of us. 1 Mother .lames was very ill coming over, with the same complaint that \\ dliam had. \\ e were \t ry sick for 3 weeks, coming over : John was very hearty, and so w as fatlier, W'c were afraid we should loose little Caroline ; but the chil- dren and we are hearty at this time. Sarah and Caroline are often sueakino of <'oiniiu« 'xh \n r.ii^lanil : shoes and clotlu-;. about the same n:- it is with wui; tea i- fium 'Js, Cu!. to .'3>. "i1. If y.u Uv\ ^\\-\^<)M^\ M i oiur, I hliould like you to It. We seiul nm kind love to our l»rolhe;^ and sisters; ami if they are di posed m r-nic, 1 sliould hke ihcm to it, for liere is pli;nty to eat and diniL and pleiily nf woik. \\ e woik \'-^l: a |HM-oinnu-l not ihuiL ol'e;)niui'^ here to get a living witlmut wmk- iiiLi; and ihiv dc;'i-e di unka.d- : Iml ii' a pci .n\\ Iceps steady, lie is respected nnu U more Uian ni i'.ii-l'.nl; he i^i adniif.cd at llie latm; willi I'.ir t'nincr. I have not heaid any p'-rson find iaull or giunil)le; l/ut Uu\ appiai to be satisfied witii \vl\at w c ilo : ue I'cnriallv wcik l)v the ihiv. ll' 'dii think of coiniii'i, or an, ofinv brolliers, I shall be lilad fur you to send nir woid as soun as you can. 1 desiie to be reim lub.icil to my uncle and aunt Steed, and uncle and aunt V'enc-s. I wish \ou to send or brin^^ the (11- rectionof niv bvotlKr Williani, and 'end x-oid if you have heard from hill), [•'atlier sends hi.s love to his brothers, Uoxell and John \\ illard, and his brothers Samuel and James Davis, and to his sister Mary Veness. I wi-h to be remembered to all encpiiriuL; friends, and if any wl-U0 miles from New York; 1 lived in his family nearly six months, i was then 100 miles fr(;m my brothcr-in-lav and Carolliie. I let't Auburn be- cause 1 was so far from my fiiends, and felt unhappy. 1 left John in Auburn, in a \erv good place; he has been to see mc to- day, and says he likes his p,iace very much, and wishes to return. Alter I left Auburn, 1 lived about four miles from my brother-in- law, in a pleasant place, and have for my wages, one dollar a week. 1 wish two or three of your girls and my sister were here : 1 hope you will not make yourselves unhappy about me, for I have had verv nood luck since 1 have been in this counlrv. Brother Thomas parted from me at Albany, and has never written to me. I en- quired about him of Mr. Cruich ; he said that he was in service and doing very well : 1 suppose he is between 1 and 200 miles from me. In Apiil I expect to nurse Harriot, and to live \\\\\\ them ; as brother intends going on a farm, and wishes me to live widi them. 1 sometimes think how far I am separated from you, ami this makes me feel unhap-)y ; but 1 know I am better off here than I should be there. Remember me to my sister Phila, and George : tell iheni I hope to sec Uicm in America ; it would be much more pleasant for me were they here. The worst is, the voyage over the ocean ; I and my three children en- joyed good heullh coming over, excepting the sea-sickness, which lasted a fortnight; it did not hurt die children at all hardly. Harriot is now living with sister Harriot: 1 heard from Uiem to- dav : they were all well. I would not return to England to live; 41 thouirh I should like to see yuii. Mr. Davis is living with brother; he called here last Sabbath : his boys have all good place?, and are doing well. I hope when you receive this letter you will send to mv dear mother : I often feel very unhappy in thinking that I never shall see her ; yet I hope it will please God to spare our lives, to see each other once more in this world. I hope, my dear mother, you will not make yourself unhappy about me, for I am doini,^ well ; and though I wish very much to see you again, yet 1 do not wish to return, to stay. Ilowis your's and father'^s health, and my litde brother 's t remember me to him, and to father. How is sister's boy ? does he ever think of his friends in America? 1 suppose you would like to know some- thing about this country : it is very pleasant ; provisions are cheaper than in England ; beef and mutton are much cheaper. What we heard about the country is pretty much true. A man can get Gs. a day for work and his boa'd ; there is work a plenty for those that wish. Since 1 have b on here, I have heard the very unpleasant news of the death of my husband. I felt very much grieved when I heard this : but I know I should not feel very unhappy ; for had he lived, it was quite uncertain if I should ever see him again ; we were so far separated, and his business was such. After you have read this, you may send it to mother Veness. I send much love to her, and father also : my little boy John felt very bad that you did not mention him in the letter you sent to me. How is William? does he not often think of his absent mother? and sometimes wish himself with her ? 1 was in hopes to hear diat my mother was better, and that she was well. I hope she will get able to come to America with father and William in the spring: tell WiUiam, John is a good boy, and is liked in the places where he has lived. America is a fine place for good boys ; if they wish to get good places they must be good themselves. I wish to know how much the gentlemen in the parish give you for the support of William. If you should con- clude to come to America in the spring, you will send me word; and I will do what 1 can to help \\'illiam, after you get in " ew York, up in the country. I make myself happy about him, because I know he is well oil'; l)Ut I should like to see him and you all very much, llemember me to all (nir neighbours, to Martha Mepham : 1 want very much to write to her. Hemcmbcr me 4'i also to Sarah, William, Uichaiil, aiui Thomas Davis. When you receive this, I want you to write to me ; for 1 long to hear from you all : the least thing will interest me. 1 wish some of my neighbours would >vrite : news from absent friends is very de- sirable. I did not find the land and country very difierent from England. Do write very soon to me: with much love to you all, I close. Your aflectionate daughter and sister, Mary Veness. Air. Jlezekiah Harvey, Mountfield, near liobertsbridge, Sussex, England. Hudson State, New York, Dear Parents, July «tl., 18i?«. I NOW sit me down to write to you, to let you know that we are all safe arrived to America, and are all much better than we have been ; thank a merciful God for it. I often look back on the scenes that we have passed through. While we were passing over the water our sufferings were great ; but that God that is loving to all them that trust in him, has brought us througli. 1 will not grieve your hearts with all our sufferings, for my paper will not hold it. Little Mary was very ill with the fever that so many died with, — 7 children and one woman ; — to hear their cries and moans, it was very bad. I was so ill myself, that I was forced to crawl out of my bed, and lay on the floor while John made the bed. If you know of any coming here, tell them never to come where the vessel is so full ; for we was shut down in darkness for a fortnight, till so many died ; then the hatch was opened. 1 will not grieve your poor hearts with more about what we poor creatures suffered. I cannot tell you what day of the month we landed into New York ; but we was about 33 days coming over, which was a good passage called. We landed on Saturday ; on Sunday we found the chapel, and went twice, — a large chapel, and very full. After preaching, the people came round to know what part wc was from, and give John a paper to carry to a gentleman, who gave us 12 dollars, and a letter to carry to an English gentleman in Hudson, for work; and l.e set them on, and there they work still. John gets 7s. a day. James get 7s. Kichard and Daniel work at the factory, and get '2^. each a day. Thoma'^ is gone to 4.S live with Ihul genllenum that we took the letter tu,-a very good place • he is cla.s-leader of the church of the city of Hudson and ;vha thev please. Dear mother, I fear you will be troubled to read that side, it is put so thick ; for my paper is not half big enough, to say . all that I want to say : but this 1 can say, that we want for no- thing • bless God for it ; for we can buy a leg ot mutton every day, and green peas or French beans brought to the door : and we have got in 32 gallons of cider for 145. I wish you was all here to help drink it. Tell my dear sister if she war. here, she might earn 8s. or 105. a day ; for they charge so much for work : I was forced to give 12s. for a cambric bonnet for Harriot. And now 1 must tell you a little what friends we met with when landed in to Hudson; such friends as we never found in England; but it was chiefly from that people that love and fear God. We had so much meat brought us, that we could not eat while it was good; a whole quarter of a calf at once ; so we had C or 3 quarters in a little time, and 7 stone of beef. One old gentleman come and broucrht us a waggon load of wood, and 2 chucks of bacon ; some sent flour, some bread, some cheese, some soap, some candles, some chairs, some bedsteads. One class-leader sent us 3s. worth of lin ware and many other things ; so we can truly say, godliness is profitable unto all things. We are in a land of plenty, and above all, where we can hear the sound of the Gospel. The gentleman that we work for, has preaching in his own parlours, till he can build a chapel ; it is begun not a quarter of a mile from where we live —and may poor sinners be brought to Christ ; for here is many that are drinking in of sin, like the ox the water. And now, my dear sister, I must say something to thee. 1 hope these few lines will find you all well as we are at present ; thank God for it. William told us to be sure to let him know how it was here ; and if we liked the place he would come : so you must let him know A4 all about it , niiii if he likes to come, no fear but v ^at he will do well : hut I know you cannot let him come without you. I want you all here if you could go through the hardships of coming over. \Vhen vou get here you may do well : I only wish I had come before. (Jive my love to Elizaljcth, and tell her if she wants fine clothes, she is to come here; it would be the making of her. Dear sister, I shoul the store, which you call a shop; and when we get there, perhaps cannot get all we want ; fur where I live is a new country, and being so far from the sea, where the goods come on shore, they are very often out of goods. Another thing is, we have no brewhouse near; so we cannot get any yeast to bake with ; so we are obliged to make risings ; and if we do not use them just at the right time, we sometimes make heavy bread. And the roads are very bad; but with all the ill-con- veniences, I bless God for sending me to America. Josia has had the fever-ague for 8 or 9 weeks; but we hope he has got nd of it. But them diat I thought to find my best friends is not so. And all that wish to know the truth of America, let them help pay for the letters, because they cost a great deal: but let old Joker sec them. Henry and his wife and '2 children are all well; he has just lost a little boy ; he is gone into eternity about 7 mondis old. 'He gives his kind love to you all. Remember us to all our bro- thers and sisters ; and let them know how we all are, and how we are geting on : and as soon as you get this letter, write to let us know wheUicr you will come to Amciica or not; as I shall leave it to your own judgment about it. And if you judge right, I think you will come if you can ; and if you come, you will do well to go to Benjamin Smith, Esq., and get him to intercede for you, as he was my best friend. And you will want l/. 105. to get up where I am, both young and old. Andif youcome, besure to getthe genUemen to let you lay in your own provision ; and not let that rogue C get it for you. And get plenty of flour ; plenty ol hams of bacon ; sugar, cheese, butter, plums ; and the first of bread. Plenty of all this, and tea plenty ; and bake a part of flour into hard bread as your mother did. And when you get to the 43 Quarantine ground, have a letter wrote to send by the first steam- packet you see ; to let nie know when you .sliull he at Seracusr. The best way for you to come, is to come up to Albany in a tcw-boat: wlien you get to Scracuse, call for entertainment at the si^n of the J'armers' Accommodation; and ' >ve get your letter will meetyou there; and if not, come on to the town of Ilastinirs, in the county of Oswego, and there you will find us out. And direct your i.uters, Thomas Boots, Hastings C:ounty of Oswego, Stales of New \ ork. North America. So no more at present tVom vour Ever tender and loving parents, Thomas Boots. Hannah I^oqts. Be sure if you come, come away in March if yun can; for the eooner you come in the spring, the better. Mr. James Bouts, Jan., liohertshridiic, Sussex, Old England. I'RINTEn HY RlL'llAIlD TAYI.OIl, RED I.ION COURT, FLEET STilEET. I