| Title: | S. D. Moore, New York to his mother, [Mrs Bowman?]. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1885 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Moore, S.D/55 |
| Year | 1815 |
| Sender | Moore, S.D. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | might get a position in a bank |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | New York, USA |
| Destination | Ireland |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | son-mother |
| Source | D 3165/5/11: Deposited by Miss M. H. Malcolm. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9102038 |
| Date | 25/11/1815 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 16:11:1993. |
| Word Count | 1352 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | New York, 25th November, 1815 My dear Mother, I take the earliest opportunity of informing you of my safe arrival in this delightful country; we made the land on the 19th inst but were driven off again and only got in the 22nd so that we were sixty three days out, during the whole of which we had very bad weather having constantly either squally or heavy gales, during one of the latter we lost our Mainmast being within ninety miles of Ireland, where it was cold enough - I kept a journal during the Voyage which I shall transcribe and send you in my next, the present one not being so very delicate in the complexion as I could wish. On my arrival I was particularly struck with beauty of the country and the comfort and wealth that everywhere appeared; of the appearance of the Jersey and Long Island shore I can only say that had I fallen into a trance on my leaving Ireland and awoke on my arrival here I should have thought I was in paradise; every person is well dressed, all appear cheerful, the very farmers and tradesmen live better than men in Ireland of a thousand a year, you may think I say too much in their favour but here every man gets the full price of his crop or work; the farmer is not oppressed Rack Landlords or the Proctors of Black Slugs; or the tradesman by a horde of Speculators who combine to lessen his earnings. You cannot form an idea of New York at present; the strength of the fortifications could defy the whole land and naval force of Great Britain, there are or were upwards of four thousand pieces of Cannon mounted on the various Batteries; those of the Narrows mounted each 365 Guns, the chain of redoubts extend upwards of 15 miles round the city, on the Jerseys, Long Island and York Island, these were entirely erected by the people voluntarily, the ladies were as busy carrying earth to form them as the men. So much for the country and city, I must tell you something of the people; they are extremely polite and friendly as far as I have had an opportunity of observing, there is not that stiff formality which is too much the case in my native Country, they go to dine with another or to spend the evening without an invitation of a week beforehand. I dined at Mr James Sterling's yesterday, he is a fine old man, the very reverse of his Brother William, who is not of the sweetest disposition. Mr S., has promised to use his interest in procuring me a situation, and I have strong hopes of getting one in a week or ten days; there is a vacancy expected in the Exchange Bank, and the proprietor Mr Jacob Barker has promised a friend of mine (Mr McDonald) to let me have it. I have experienced the greatest friendship and attention from Mr D. S. Armstrong of the Post Office, who will, should I get the situation in the Bank, get Mr Barker security for me to any amount; I feel grateful for the good opinion he has formed of me in so short a time, the place would be worth 700 or 1000 dollars per annum. I certainly would prefer a mercantile house but as I sincerely wish to get employment immediately it is better to secure some place and I can #PAGE 2 afterwards have my eye about me for a better. As living in the City is very expensive I have lodgings at Brooklyn Garden at 4 dollars pweek [per week?] which is two dollars at least lower than I could procure them in Town, it costs me about seven pence a day for the Steam Boat and when I mention her it reminds me to give you a description of the far famed Steam frigate, she lays at Curles Hook about two miles up the E [East?] River, she is unquestionably one of the wonders of the Age, she is about 250 feet long and her sides are 5 feet thick, bomb proof all over, it is impossible to board her, the boiler of the Engine can scald the assailants to death, and should they even get upon her it is not in their power to touch the men who are all covered, she carried 26 long 32 pounders and 6 long eighteens, and can sail from 8 to 10 miles per hour. She has no spikes sticking out of her side as was mentioned in the Recorder, but she can be made to have them should they ever think it necessary. I have been on Board the Albany Passenger Steam Boats, two of them are 200 feet long each but not more than half the breadth of the frigate, either of them can accommodate five hundred persons, the Gentlemen and Ladies have seperate [separate?] Cabins and seperate [separate?] dining Rooms, all of which are furnished in the most elegant manner, the Births [Berths?] to sleep in have each a window and are hung with fines Moreen, have elegant Counterpanes and linen as white as snow - you will say they charge very high, I will tell you, the distance to Albany is 165 miles, which takes the boat exactly 24 hours, you get Breakfast, dinner, tea and Supper, spirits, Ale, Cider &c all for 7 dollars! There is a Company about to build one for to go to Charlestown from this, if they succeed in it you may expect to hear of there being established traders wrought by Steam between Europe and America. There is also a ferry Boat wrought by steam that goes from the Upper part of the City and The Navy yard. The Java & Gurriere frigates are both laying off the City and are the finest Vessels I ever beheld, they each rate 44 Guns, but carry 56 all heavy metal. It is now one O'Clock and the guns are firing in commemoration of the evacuation of New York by Lord Cornwallis, the Volunteer Companies are all drawn up on the West Battery and amout [amount?] to 5000 men all armed and clothed at their own expense, they consist of the most respectable people in the City. 3 oclock, I have been reviewing the Sons of freedom and had the pleasure of seeing General Brown the Hero of Plattsburg and the Conqueror of Sir G Prevost, also Commodores Decatur and Perry, you may be sure they are idolised by all ranks the ladies in particular who wear nothing but Decatur Bonnets and Perry shoes. There is to be a grand dinner this evening in the Washington Hall, to which a great number of the Vive le Empireur lads are invited among whom are Joseph Bonaparte late King of Spain, Count Jean De Angily &c, the first lives in great style at the late residence of Lord Courtney at Haarlem [Harlem?]; I have heard that Marshal Grouchly is in New York. There is such a number of things crowding on my mind that I cannot collect them so as to put them on paper, however I shall #PAGE 3 write again by the first Vessel that goes to Belfast which I expect will be in ten days and give you a fuller description of all the Buildings, Customs, manners &c of this country, and at the same time hope to have it in my power to inform you of my having got a situation. My love to Ann, Margt [Margaret?], Mary, and John and all the rest. I expect they will write me on receipt of this and tell me all the news and occurences since I bid you adieu. I have a great many things to say to John when I write again. Send word to John Kane of my safe arrival and that he will hear from me by first ship. Believe me to be ever Your most affectionate Son. S. D. Moore P.S. I never was the least sick during the passage, and am now growing fat. |
