| Title: | Henry Coulter, [New Brunswick?], to Rev William Moreland, Co Down. |
|---|---|
| ID | 713 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Coulter, Henry/101 |
| Year | 1820 |
| Sender | Coulter, Henry |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | mentions working in a vineyard and getting his own piece of |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | St. Stephen's, N. Brunswick, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Rev. William Moreland |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | T3032/1/1: Presented by R.H Elliott, 25 Knockdene Pk Nth, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Belfast. |
| Doc. No. | 9406198 |
| Date | 14/06/1820 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 10:06:1994. |
| Word Count | 1818 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | St. Stephen's N.B. [New Brunswick?] June 14th, 1820. My kind, and Dear Sir,- I received your welcome and very satisfactory letter, a day or two after the arrival of our common friend, Capt. [Captain?] Pollock. I thank you, from my heart, - it was exactly such a letter as I like to receive, - dense in its lines, as even the Grecian phalanx of old - full of good matter - and in Mr. Moreland's own style. I rejoice my Dear friend, to hear of your health holding good, and that the same blessing attends your worthy family at large. Mine has been excellent since I last saw you, which (unregenerate as my heart is) sometimes causes a gleam of affection and thanks to arise in my bosom for such an inestimable blessing among strangers. Mr. Livingston, also, remembered me kindly - so did both the Messrs. Campbell - so that (as I tell Rev. [Reverend?] Campbell) I have had "a Lord Mayor's feast" this Spring. I am sorry to hear of times being so bad in poor Ireland. The same difficulties appear to pervade the whole of this Continent also. Farming produce manufactures - wages (of every description), value of property - all sunk - sunk to nothing throughout the States - and leaving a deficit in the Treasury Box, at Washington, of some millions of doll. [dollars?] to be provided for by [---?]. These distresses prevail, chiefly, in the interior and Western States, where farming produce will not pay for carriage to market. They are rid of one difficulty, however, in the States, which exists in the Old Country = there are not so many starving mechanics to hang idle on the public, as appears in England and Scotland. The farmers in the Western States of Ohio - Kentucky - Tennessee - Alabama - Indiana &c. [et cetera?] (where landed purchases were mostly made these 20 years past) from all I can hear, are, for the greater part, ruined. Those who made purchases, and paid only in part, have been unable, from the depression of markets, to fulfil or meet their engagements; in consequence of which vast numbers have been turned off their lands by the merciless proprietors. Pittsburgh (likely to be so famous) is gone to wreck. Manufactures, and duties thereon, have fallen there, within these 2 1/2 years, from the proportion of -- to 4 1/2 ! This was publicly stated in Congress. Lands are, still, from 5 to 2 doll. [dollars?], per acre, through the States.-- We are likely to set about farming in these provinces now. A number of provincial - County - and parochial farming societies have been formed during last winter, which will rouse these good folks from their present apathy, and give life and activity to agricultural pursuits. Govt. [Government?] has also granted a large sum of money to be appropriated to the purchase of seed grain - farming implements &c. [et cetera?] for those who are unable of themselves. Committees have, also, been appointed, in different places, to direct emigrants to lands or employment. This Country improves in my opinion every day. There is nothing but a small capital wanting to enable a man to farm successfully here, and live happily, - suppose he wish not to dip too deep in the luxury of fine society. My brother and I are getting land in the parish of St. David's, one mile from the salt water: the land is excellent, but, in the woody state. I intend to exercise myself upon it, until Capt. [Captain?] Pollock's return here - my engagement here ending on the 31st inst. [instant?]. I am afraid the troubles in Ireland may be the means of preventing the cultivation of the Country, and produce some bad consequences after the uproar has subsided, as it soon will, like all the rest of our Irish bubbles. I see, by the newspapers sent me, that the judges on the Circuit have made pretty quick work this last Spring. Your next County Cess will be weighty on account of the quantity of Hempen cordage consumed at your public exhibitions in the assize towns ! We come now as Mr. McCollough says, to touch upon your Clerical woes and troubles! I am surprised to hear of the Belfast Presbytery opposing the introduction of such a promising germ, as "felon" Gibson appears to be. They must be afraid of you Bangor heretics spoiling his Orthodoxy! Hanna and the "Cormorant" are, certainly, obliging you very much by their timely accusation of this Culprit; his introduction among you could be a matter of no rejoicing. From what you say, he may be the founder of a new Era in Philosophy - Metaphysics - and even Hydraulics! As he can philosophise without a material subject - touch what is not tangible - draw "torrents of crimson" from an immaterial source! I have positively enjoined Campbell to ride to every presbytery where his trials and arraignments may take place, and "cast a stone at Stephen". After all he must be more knave than fool, since he knew well how to bait his hook to catch all the old wigs in Ballywalter. When I read yours - I fancied I saw poor Gowdie's shade peeping, from among some of the old timbers in the tottering roof of Ballywalter meeting house, at Gibson, in his former, and decently filled, pulpit; and, with a stern look, (if aerial forms have muscles) and tumultuous sighs, taking a final farewell to Ballywalter.- I wish Skelly may get through with his Crim Csn [criminal conspiracy?] business, he has a "thorny path" to tread when the Elders and Dills are before him. In regard of the Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick, I can briefly inform you, that it is, at present, under the guidance and pastoral care of two Cidevant seceding Clergymen, and a married probationer of the same zealous sect,-- viz [vide licet?] A Mr. Gamble, formerly of Newry - a Wilson from about Ballymena - and licentiate Fleming. These have, very formally, constituted themselves into a Presbytery - have had two or three "sederants" in St. Andrew's - and, finally have given no little disquietude &c. [et cetera?] fear to his Reverence the Rector, who cannot guess what a Presbytery is! They come on very middlingly; as between external foibles, and internal jealousies of one another, they are, easily seen through. In relation to your humble servant, he is (and has been) a "Sloth in the vine yard" these 14 Calendar months - and the next in which he labours will be his own. That hot bed you mention will be fully sufficient to raise, in true mushroom style a copious supply for our holy and well united Church so that I can without, any loss to the fraternity, lie up, like another "Sheer Hulk" in harbour. I have heard nothing of McCormick yet. There are a great number of Missionaries going, of late, from the States to the different Indian nations North West of the Mississippi and Missouri. I wish these make the honest, but much injured and misrepresented Indians either more happy, or better in morals. They are an honest - affectionate and worthy people. I have had much Conversation with several of the tribe that inhabit here; and, without hesitation, can pronounce them [superior?] in truth - benevolence - modesty - virtue in general, to their white, Christian neighbours. I was up in the woods, last winter, seeing the interior of the Country, (along with a Mr. Hill of this place who was visiting his timbering crews) about 90 miles in - and we experienced the utmost hospitality and kindness from these Indians in their wigwams at night. In short - they shame our good polished folks altogether. Their numbers are diminishing, however, throughout the Continent. This tribe (the Passamaquoddy) is now reduced to 300 warriors, and 1200 in all.- The United States have admitted two new States into the Union this meeting of Congress: Maine and Missouri. Missouri would not enter the league without the privilege of holding slaves! and after a congressional debate of six weeks - and coming to this conclusion - "slavery is a less evil in the States than any recrimination, or spirit of acrimony, among the numbers of the congress or Senate"! The members from all the Northern States firmly opposed such an admission - but were outvoted by those advocates of liberty from the Southern States, who were interested in holding their fellow men in Slavery! One Dagget, from New Hampshire, voted for Slavery - his effigy was burned in the City of Hartford, with the motto "Dagget and Slavery forever"! affixed over his head. So much for freedom. To conclude, on American affairs - Taxes are got weighty in the States, and a large national debt incurred. Three severe new taxes were laid on this last session to provide for its redemption; it amounts to sixty eight millions of dollars they are [--?] devoting from [---?] year to the building and equipment of a navy. My brother has entered into the Matrimonial alliance, last Christmas, with a young Miss Randolph, an agreeable girl, and with whom he has a good prospect of mutual affection and happiness. I propose to myself, Dear friend, the pleasure of seeing you about October or November. I already anticipate the pleasure of seeing you all; while, at the same time, I know what a qualm my departure (forever) again will create in a heart ill calculated to bear a separation from those whom I must ever love and esteem. Should the dangers of the sea - or any other futurities prevent me from seeing you - God bless you, and preserve you in happiness. To Mrs Moreland present my best wishes and compliments - to Mary - James etc. [etcetera?] Farewell - and, believe me, I am yours affectionately H. Coulter P.S. [Post Script?] I enclose in this a burlesque Christmas piece to our Clough friend which you can give him any time when passing through, as I could not enclose it in his letter, which will, likely, be posted etc. [et cetera?] I also send you a few Newspapers. - There are some ill done pieces in them Signed - Oscar - from the pen of your [--?]. Please to throw them past - as I have the rest of the file, and wish to preserve them. We get news here of all descriptions from Europe in the course of from 20 to 30 days. I see the London Conspirators have tripped it. Dear Sir, have the goodness to let Mr. Livingston know that having nothing new to write, and besides having the expectation of seeing him soon, I have deferred writing him. Also Mr. McNamara, who teaches with him - that I cannot in a letter explain on what he writes - but will soon verbally. |
