| Title: | W.J.B. Hamilton, Augusta, to James Stavely, Antrim |
|---|---|
| ID | 1329 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Hamilton, J.W.B/6 |
| Year | 1860 |
| Sender | Hamilton, J.W.B. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Augusta, Georgia, USA |
| Destination | Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | D 1835/27/1/5: Deposited by Greer Hamilton and Gailey, Solicitors, High Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9310015 |
| Date | 03/02/1860 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C. R., 01:10:1993 |
| Word Count | 698 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Letter from J.W.B. Hamilton, Augusta, USA, to an unknown addressee [perhaps James Stavely, Ballymoney, County Antrim]. February 3, 1860. Augusta, Georgia February 3rd 1860 My Dear Sir Now when I got over the fatigue of the long journey I sat down to return my promise of writing you. I may write to you as I do to home that I expect to get more than I give. Although the journey appeared long to me it would not have been considered so 50 years since. Uncle Bones was 72 days on sea when he first came out. We were only ten days and a half. I could have reached Augusta from Ballymoney in fourteen days If the next fifty years make as much difference, travelling will be performed with the speed of electricity. The part of the journey from New York to Augusta was a great deal more tedious than from Liverpool to New York. We had as many changes from Rail to Steamer, and being in the rain all night made it very unpleasant. I had heard of "Night Cars" on American Railways with places to sleep, but did not see any of them. New York is the most bustling place I have been in. I am there is a [sic] greater throng in Broadway than in any of the Streets of London, Americans say it is the finest street in the world, of course there is a good percentage allowed on what they say, it may be the longest but it did not strike me as having any thing extra in its appearance. If all the best houses were built together they would have a magnificent street, but when you see a palace next door to a miserable looking place where you would fancy a Jew would be selling old clothes it takes away very much from the effect, in my opinion they want both uniformity in the buildings and #PAGE 2 width in the Street. I was in Stuarts Wharehouse [Warehouse?] it is truly beautiful and most extensive, but as I have never been in any of the English ones I cannot draw any comparison. Mr. Small took me into a clothing Establishment which I believe nothing could surpass. In the wholesale departments they appeared to be doing nothing. I was told that business is all got over in August. In Augusta I think goods are nearly double the price they are with us and are all bought from importers in New York. I think it would pay some of them to get direct from England, indeed it is not unlikely they will have to try that pretty soon, as I am told that the growing warmth on the slavery question and the consequent great uncertainty of property has made New Yorkers not very willing to take orders. The Harpers Fury affray has created a dreadful commotion and the legislation in some of the States have taken up the subject very warmly, it will come to a crisis before long or some persons here are wrong in their opinion. Augusta is a very thriving City with about 1600 [----?] Cotton is the great article of commerce and all merchants appear to be directly or indirectly engaged in this business. The City is built in squares. In the principle the street the houses are mostly of brick, when an old wooden is burnt down (which is not rare) a less combustible one is put up in its stead. The weather has been very pleasant since we arrived. I thought it remarkably hot some days, but very changeable over night last week the thermometer fell 40 degrees in 12 hours. I understand there has not been much room to complain of too much heat in Ireland lately. I expect you have had a good winter business from the prices I see farmers have been getting for their produce, but that is nohing new for you. I was sorry to hear that Mr. Brown had refused Bmoney [Ballymoney?] Cong. [Congregation?] #PAGE 3 it appears as if they were not going to get anyone. Has Mr. Dick accepted in call [?]. All friends here are quite well and my own health is very much improved. Remember me affectionately to all your [----?] individually and [----?] and [----?] to be [----?] [----?] Yours J W B Hamilton |
