| Title: | John Campbell White, Baltimore, To Robert Simms, Belfast. |
|---|---|
| ID | 446 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Campbell White, John/27 |
| Year | 1805 |
| Sender | Campbell White, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | merchant |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Simms, Robert |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | business |
| Source | T.1815/11: Copied by Permission of Presbyterian Historical Society, Fisherwick Place, Belfast. #TYPE EMG John Campbell White, Baltimore, To Robert Simms, [General Merchant], Belfast. 5th September 1805. |
| Archive | Public Record Office Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 8809110 |
| Date | 05/09/1805 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | 19:09:1988 GC created 19:09:1988 PG input 04:01:19 |
| Word Count | 839 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Baltimore 5th September [1805?] Dear Sir I had the pleasure of your letter of the 6th July by [thickness?] it was my shirt but you promise soon to write again. I get two Dublin papers per year from your correspondent at Derry. One of them contains a [mention?] [of Mr Sheridans?] on the jails in Ireland which gives a melancholy picture of the state of the poor prisoners & surprises with the numbers. It is astonishing with what apathy the reports of the Inspector General have been [treated?] by all the members of the House & shows a depraved state of the representation & of the Society in general- The approaching election in intr [interest?] sets all party spirit in motion, & the federalists leave nothing undone to bring themselves into power. The interruption of [trade?] which [comes hence?] to the feelings of any man by the continuance of the Embargo, they [expect?] the [bad?] effects [?]. They forge, [?] present, calumniate, & lye [lie?] [without?] limitation. They held out the administration as not only [attached to France?] but as their [slaves?] & as [completely hostile?] to England who has given them no just cause of offence and who has the [most amiable?] disposition towards this country. Everything Government does is uncsy [unecessary?] [anything?] they do not, should be done. [If an?] Embargo is laid okn. they cry out this is an effect of the Virginian system to destroy commerce. If they had not laid on the [Embargo?], then would they have been equally [violent?] [about?] the capture of our shipping & the detention of our property in foreign ports. In truth the object of the federalists is [power?], & that a [?] the British empire. How do you feel under this my [unlooked?] fr [for?] & [extraordinary?] change in Europe? are the great European powers [going?] to set down unity, & contentedly to enjoy the blessings of peace. Are the United States & Britain to be alone at war. Does Britain [expect?] to [reduce?] the U.S. again to the state of Colonies? Does she [expect?] that if she [lived?] on honourable terms, & in harmony with us, that her [trade?] woud [would?] be too [?], that there might be a chance that Britain could exist in safety, without adding to her debt, & [increasing?] the [?] of other people? or is she like her late opponent, Bonaparte, so [intoxicated with her sucess?] as to think she can do anything? It would be wise in her to take a lesson from his [initiative?] - "In the day of prosperity to consider". Notwithstanding all that has happened, I see clearly, that Bonaparte & that the sucess of the allies was only owing to their division. I have great doubts if the French will continue long [just?] under their present system. The [seeds?] of much contention remian among them - Are they really to have a representative Government? If they are, it may repay them for all their sufferings, & should most heartily rejoice at it. We have [contradictory?] reports day [after?] day, one day we are to have a vigorous, & [evident?] pursuit of war, under the [infamous Canning?] System, the next day, we are to have peace & friendship. One day we are to have a powerful mediator in the Emperor Alexander, Another day it is [?] of dry land with the Allies, that they are to leave her [peacefully?] undisturbed in the management of the United States. Are we less powerful than Spain & Portugal? Is our distance from England more advantageous for carrying on wars than the [integrity?] of Spain? Will a war with America much promote British trade or British trade or British Manufactures. Will it [have?] any tendency to convert a peacful industrious people into [a military?], & naval power of no inconsiderable consequence ? If Spain joins in the quarrel I could then do her no injury by [?] insurrection in her America colonies? Be three things as they may. Manfactures are spreading extensively among us. It flatters myself they have already made such progress, as ensures their permanence better we advance rapidly, and in avoding [?] beyond [expectation?]. The [Minns?] ship [once a leisure?] was & already they [seem?] with [some?] eminent farmers. [What?] [?] object with them. Nevertheless, under all circumstances, I should rejoice at an honourable peace, tho' [though?] in such wish I perhaps consult my own feelings [more?], then the interest of my country. The events of war are uncertain; & the [destruction?] of [land?], & morals is certain. If we are not totally [wanting?] to ourselves nothing can prevent us making rapid [strides?] to wealth wisdom & power. We wnat no colonies, no connections, but commerical ones with European powers, & these upon terms of [fruitful acciprocity?] We can live comfortably & independently without connection with any of them. We ahve everything but knowledge in abundance, among ourselves, that we are acquiring fast. [Mrs White &?] my family join me in best respects to Mrs Simms & you yours Sincerely John Campbell White |
