| Title: | R. J Waddell, New York, to Joshua E. Peel, Co. Armagh. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3149 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Waddell, R. J/27 |
| Year | 1899 |
| Sender | Waddell, R. J. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | preparing to become a licensed solicitor |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | NYC, USA |
| Destination | Co. Armagh, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Peel, Joshua E. |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | Mr. Waddell used to be apprenticed to Mr Peel, he |
| Source | D889/7/1: Deposited by Messrs Joshua Peel and Son, Solicitors, Armagh. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N.Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 103089 |
| Date | 28/04/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 20:03:01. |
| Word Count | 1276 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | #802 East 135th Street New York, April 28th, 1899. Joshua E. Peel Esq., Solicitor, Armagh, Ireland. Dear Mr. Peel;- I suppose you will be surprised at having a letter from me, but there are nothing but surprises in this world, and I dont think this will be the first surprise your humble servant has given you. I hope you are well, and also Mrs. Peel and family. As I have now been over five years in this "Land of the Free" and having become a fully fledged citizen of this "glorious" country, which a short time ago brought Johnny Bull to his knees over the Venzuela question, later whipped Spain, and is now engaged in reducing to submission our rather unruly boy and late ally, Aguinaldo, I propose to again take up the study of law. To that end I have been in correspondence with the Board of Regents here, and also the Bar Association in Albany, with the view of getting an allowance for the time I spent at law on the other side. I believe I can get off without having to attend any lectures, and by serving an apprenticeship of one year, if I am able to obtain satisfactory proof from Ireland as to just how long I studied law over there. By this mail I have written to the Secretary of the Incorporated Law Society, enclosing him a letter I received from the Board of Regents, and asking him to send me the requisite duplicate certificates &c. In regard to yourself, what I desire from you is a letter addressed generally "TO THOSE WHOM IT MAY CONCERN" or to THE BAR ASSOCIATION, ALBANY, NEW YORK, and sent to me to be attached to a petition, relating in detail the fact that I was your Apprentice under the Rules of the Incorporated Law Society, for four years, or whatever time you think I [it?] was, that before I became apprenticed to you it was necessary for me to pass a Preliminary examination under the Solicitors and Attorneys (Ireland) Act, that during my apprenticeship I attended certain lectures in Dublin, and that when I gave up the study of law I had nothing, as far as you are aware, save my final examination to pass, in order to become a licensed Solicitor. I will leave the form of this letter to your own judgement, as I have the greatest faith in your discretion and grasp of what I really need. To guide you, however, as to what I am doing, I give you the following information; The New York Bar requires three year's actual apprenticeship, same as I served with you, with the exception that during that time you can be under salary, can earn and make whatever money you choose and follow any vacation that your necessities demand. In my case, of course, it will be shorthand. Besides this and during the time of apprenticeship, two years of lectures in the University of the State of New York are required to be attended by the student, and these are so arranged that they are delivered both during the day and at night, so that those who are working at other occupations during the day can take the necessary lectures in the evening. In other words this gives the working man the same chance as the millionaire to study law if he so desires and his tastes so lead him. This, however, would be too much, I should judge, for the profession in Ireland to tolerate, but then this is a democratic country, and we believe that there is room at the top for everyone. This University, of course, is not run for the fun of the thing, and there are fees and so forth to be paid the same as with you, but these are not exorbitant, and are aimed solely to meet the expenses of the concern, and not by any means prohibitory, and got up for the one purpose of keeping out everybody from studying law save those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. But enough, for I dont suppose you will ever over there attempt to follow our Democratic methods. Royalty is too sweet a morsel for you--dear old Queen Vic. and Albert Edward--bless their dear old souls, "we" could'nt [couldn't] part them, oh no. But to return. What I have done is this. I have corresponded with the Secretary of the Board of Regents, whose reply I have sent to-day to Dublin, and they state they are quite willing to allow me full credit for the time spent in study over there, on proper proof of same being submitted to them, so that I am in hopes of getting off with serving, say, one year. It would take this time to make up the practical details of the work anyhow. I intend, therefore, to embody all the facts about my apprenticeship and my law lectures &c, and append by way of exhibits the letter from the Incorporated Law Society and also your letter or certificate. This is all, I believe I will require. Regarding my character, morals and such TRIFLES, I'll manage that from this end. My career for the past four or five years in New York has been such that I will be able to attend to that part of the programme by recommendations and personal references from various New York magnates with whom I have come in contact, and hope to be able to satisfy the Bar Association that I am a fit and proper person to become a member of the profession here. This, may seem a remarkable statement to make, but nevertheless I am glad to state it is a fact. John Kerr, I think, though, would hardly admit this, but you know we cannot all be Presbyterian Sunday School teachers like Mr. Kerr, or combat the Prince of Darkness with such vigour, earnestness and success as he has done. I would be glad to have you, however, state in your letter just what you thought of my work while in your Office. This is all, I think, I have to say. I would like to have my Indentures, but the copy I got from the Incorporated Law Society, is in the possession of paterfamilias, and thus beyond my control, while I presume you would hardly care to part with the copy you have. I dont know, though, what use they are to you, and I should be glad to have them. Regarding my private affairs, I suppose you know I'm married, and who the young lady of my choice was. I could see when I was over in Keady, she did not please a good many there, but then she pleased me, and after all I was the one to be pleased. That being so criticisms and condemnations from "friends" and acquaintances did'nt [didn't] have much effect on me, nor did they keep me from enjoying myself when there. We hope in the course of another couple or three years, to take a run over again. I hope Johnnie is well and making a good impression in his profession. I get three or four Irish papers every week, so I'm well posted in Irish news. I read with disgust all that squabble at the new Board of Town Commissioners, in re "Our Solicitor". But it is only natural to expect such things, for in politics the world over "to the victor belong the spoils". I have nothing more now, so with regards to yourself and any of the old staff there may be in the Office now, and hoping to hear from you, in due course, I remain, Yours sincerely, R J Waddell |
