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Title: John Chambers, New York to Robert Simms, Belfast.
ID607
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileChambers, John/46
Year1815
SenderChambers, John
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationunknown
Sender Religionunknown
OriginNew York, USA
DestinationBelfast, N.Ireland
RecipientSimms, Robert
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipfriends
SourceT 1815/16: Copied by Permission of the Presbyterian Historical Society, Fisherwick Place, Belfast.
ArchiveThe Public Record Office, Northern Ireland.
Doc. No.8809115
Date11/03/1815
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by JM 21:10:1993.
Word Count640
Genre
Note
TranscriptMr Robt. [Robert?] Simms
Belfast

New York 11th March 1815
John Chambers

My dear Sir

My letter written last night, ever hastened, on the
presumption that the time would fail this morning. Her
delay enables me to say a few words more, & as she goes to your
Port, I do not hesitate from considerations of loading you with
Postage.

Our Communications with Europe have been so
irregular for some years, that we know very little of what
they have been doing, except on the great fighting Theatres
I saw a flying paragraph, which seemed to allude to an Act
for taking an enumeration, or Statistic of Ireland. Whether such
an Act has been passed, or such a thing has been effected, I am
no farther informed - but I should be very thankful for information
on the subject. I am told, that your Belfast Magazine
is a very respectable publication. I should like to have the
last 12 Nos. [Numbers?] for which my Son in Dublin will pay on demand
- They might be put in the trust of some respectable Passenger
coming to this City, on whose Attention you cou'd [could?] rely. -
I say this the more emphatically, because too many receive such
little trusts with small regard to punctuality, Unless a safe
conveyance offers, perhaps it wou'd [would?] be better to withhold them

To file my papers, I will add a few observations with prospect
of Trade with your Islands. We have now lying in England
a large sum - which has been gradually accumulating during
the last three or four years, in the daily hope of tranquil times,
& reopened trade. This sum is supposed by some to amount to three
Millions Sterling - some say two - but no conjecture makes it less
than one. This will be chiefly expended in the purchase of Br. [British?]
goods with which our Markets are very bare - but this sum
whatever be its amount
added to the immense shipments made by speculaton [speculation?],
& by the Br. [British?] Merchants - will so choak [choke?] the country that
immense losses will be the consequence & must fall heavily upon some of the
parties, this may have a momentary affect upon our domestic Manufactures, but
if the present very heavy Duties are continued on Importations, & then
Manufactures stand the just shock, the supplies from Gr. Br. [Great Britain?]
in 1817, &c. will be most essentially reduced, & after that period, the value
of those Importations will fall one half or two thirds! - The
irrational & domineering Policy of Gr. Br. [Great Britain?] towards this
Country for the last 8 or 10 years, has driven it into Manufactures, in despite
#PAGE 2
of the prejudices of our people & of their habits. The predominant
party here wil keep up a growing wish to be independant [independent?] of
Europe, but especially of Gr. Br. [Great Britain?] - those domestic Manufs.
[Manufactures?] will be fastened by every means, but especially by high
protecting Duties, & rigorous Custom House Measures - so that you may expect to
see in less than two years Superfine Br. [British?] Clouths [Cloths?], the wide
range of low priced Cottons, most articles of Glass - all sorts of Castings -
all sorts of Paper - Hats, &c &c. Shut out from all competition in these
Markets. - In fact, according to my limitted [limited?] view of the subject,
Gr. Br. [Great Britain?] has, herself, planted & fastened, a spirit of
rivalship in Manufs. [Manufactures?] here - which she will soon feel, &
occasion important changes in the trade of the world. France we cannot hurt,
nor is it wished by the party in power - we cannot rival her wines, her
Brandies, her Oils, her silks, &c &c so her trade will remain undiminished.

I must have tired you with these speculations
so my Dear friend, Adieu.