22nd September 1850

 

My Dr. Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters,

 

I write these few lines to you hoping That these few lines may find you all in as good State of health as I am in at present thank God. I received your welcome letter to me Dated 22nd of May which was A Credit to me for the Stile and Elligence of its Fluent Language but I must Say Rather Flattering. My Dr. Father I must only say that this is a good place and A good Country for if one place does not Suit A man he can go to Another and can very easy please himself But there is one thing that’s Ruining this place Especially the Frontirs towns and Cities where the Flow of Emmigration is most,the Emmigrants has not money Enough to Take them to the Interior of the Country which oblidges them to Remain here in York and the like places for which Reason Causes the less demand for Labour and also the great Reduction in wages.

 

For this Reason I would advise no one to come to American that would not have Some Money after landing here that (would) Enable them to go west in case they would get no work to do here but any man or woman without a family are fools that would not venture and Come to this plentiful Country where no man or woman ever Hungered or ever will and where you will not be Seen Naked, but I can assure you there are Dangers upon Dangers Attending comeing here but my Friends nothing Venture nothing have.

 

Fortune will favour the brave, have Courage and prepare yourself for the next time that worthy man Mr. Boyan is Sending out the next lot, and Come you all Together Couragiously and bid adieu to that lovely place the land of our Birth, that place where the young and old joined Together in one Common Union, both night and day Engaged in Innocent Amusement. But alas. I am now Told its Gulf of Miserary oppression Degradetion and Ruin of every Discription which I am Sorry to hear of so Doleful a History to Be told of our Dr. Country. This my Dr. Father Induces me to Remit to you in this Letter 20 Dollars that is four Pounds thinking it might be Some Acquisition to you until you might Be Clearing away from that place all together and the Sooner the Better for Believe me I could not Express how great would be my joy at our seeing you all here Together where you would never want or be at a loss for a good Breakfast and Dinner. So prepare as soon as possible for this will be my last Remittince until I see you all here.

 

Bring with you as much Tools as you can as it will cost you nothing to Bring them And as for you Clothing you need not care much But that I would like that yourself would Bring one good Shoot of Cloth that you would spare until you come here. And as for Mary She need not mind much as I will have for her A Silk Dress A Bonnet and Viel according and Ellen I need not mention what I will have for her I can fit her well. You are to Bring Enough Flannels and do not form it at home as the way they wear Flannel at home and here is quiet different For which reason I would Rather that you would not form any of it until you Come, with the Exception of whatever Quantity of Drawers you may have you can make them at home But make them Roomly Enough But Make No Jackets.