| Title: | Wm. Montgomery, Manchester, England, to "Dear Joseph", Philadelphia. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1821 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Montgomery, William/36(2) |
| Year | 1859 |
| Sender | Montgomery, William |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | linen merchant |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Destination | Philadelphia, Penn., USA |
| Recipient | Searight, Joseph |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | D2794/1/2/111: Presented by H.H. Montgomery, 4 Kensington Gardens, Belfast 5 |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9507038 |
| Date | 11/03/1859 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 29:06:1995. |
| Word Count | 771 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | 5a Palace St [Street?] Manchester 11th March 1859. Dear Joseph Your last letter I duly received and I ---- to send forward to my Father, at any rate I have not it before me at present to refer to Your price for [flour?] in the [------?] is quite above our Market here. Breads [-----?] keep very dull and the price fluctuate but little in an upward direction. I conclude that there is but little expectation in that [hade?] [---?] [---?] [present?] and perhaps the [--?] the better, Importers of American Produce [mainly?] I think are not [scaling?] much profit _ The importers of Cotton it is reported here lose very heavily. If you read the Liverpool & Manchester Cotton Market Reports you will see that the [companies?] have expected, to bar [M----?] from hand to mouth, and this policy has kept Cotton at safe rates for the [-------?]. For some past [neither?] [companies?] or Manufacturers has had profit, owing to the way in which the Lpool [Liverpool?] Market was [risked?] by the Brokers. The fortune of the Borough Bank has put in aid to their power to do this any longer. The ugly aspect of, Continental Politics has kept us here in a state of suspense ever since the 1st January last, and the consequence has been and still is that no person will put himself under engagements farther than merely to supply immediate wants. The shades of light and gloom that flit across the horizon of foreign politics & complications resemble a cloudy day in August or Septr [September?] one hour everything looks bright, and folks come forth to sun themselves and look pleasant: the next heavy, and portentous clouds obscure the sun; and folks creep back to their hole until a crowd has gone over. So it is with France Austria and Sardinia at present; almost every day the aspect of affairs changes owing it may be to an article in a newspaper, for a journey undertaken by some nobleman; or it may leaving to some gossip about an interview between [Exporters?]; and Lord somebody that, and so the funds and shares keep boxing the compass up and down, down and up every day on the slightest rumour of peace or war and so we go on. When or how it will end no one knows. I was over in Ireland about a month since and found all there quite well Robt [Robert?] Moore & Anne Jane and family much as usual Robert I think has been doing very well in his business during the past year but I fear is not prospered quite as well in those things which have an enduring reality. I have spoken very plainly to him on the subject but I fear to very little purpose. In consequence of a very great advance in Linen Yarns in the latter end of last year I have been able to pull up some of the losses of the year previous. Than providence have been enabled to hold my ground. I have not yet got my Books balanced for the year and therefore cannot exactly say in figures but I think I am gaining ground. You said in your last letter that if you had Capital you could import a certain class of goods for sale there from all I can learn from some folk here was ship goods to [-----?] I am sure where managed right in [b---?] side it must be a good business. Would you give the subject a little further consideration and say what are the classes of goods you could manage, what capital it would take to begin a thing of the kind, what extent could be done in the year, and what the expenses would be on your side. If a fair statement can be shown for profit I have a friend or two here who might be induced to do something in that way. If there is any further information you can give do so. I trust you still hold on your way looking unto Jesus. Something I find it hard work to resist temptation but prayer through faith is mighty, and I hope I am growing in grace. May we love him more and in all things temporal & spiritual be guided by him alone. My dear wife is thank providence pretty well but has been ill lately owing to a fright she got. My father and family are all well. Alicia is at present with us here. All the family connection in Ireland are I believe quite well. Margonetta & Alicia join us in love to you your affectionate Cousin William Montgomery |
