| Title: | John James Murphy to Martin Murphy, 26? July 1864 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4047 |
| Collection | Argentina - Murphy |
| File | murphy/22 |
| Year | 1864 |
| Sender | Murphy, John James |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | cattle breeder |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Estancia Bella Vista, Salto, Argentina |
| Destination | Haysland, Co. Wexford, Ireland |
| Recipient | Murphy, Martin |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 1476 |
| Genre | property, local economy, lambing season, friends |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Note Estancia Bella Vista Salto Dear Friends, In place of directing your letters to Uncalito you will for the future direct them as above as I have changed the name owing to there being another Estancia alongside the name Uncalito, and there do mistakes occur in consequence. The name in English is Beautiful Sight, but you direct as Bella Vista, &c. as before. Tell Father James that I have got 2 or 3 pounds from his parishioners in the country to send him for his church, but to attempt a collection would be absurd this year, as it would sure to become a failure, owing to losses sustained by sheep farmers, numbers of them left as poor as they were 10 years ago. Adieu, J.M. Letter Uncalito, 20th July 1864 My Dear Brothers, Sisters & Friends, I believe two months has elapsed since I last wrote you, and perhaps this one might have passed also (as I have but little news to send), were it not that I feel an inevitable desire to let you know that we are all well out here, which news I am sure you will be glad to hear. Dear Friends, I have I have been knocking about very much since I last wrote in search of land to buy, but has failed in doing so, as there is none to be got suitable for sheep unless at such a price as no one would buy unless those persons totally in need of it, and must purchase at any price, and many of those by doing so have to involve themselves perhaps several thousand pounds in debt. There are many foreigners has purchased land in Santa Fe of late, and has moved up their sheep. The feeling of sheep farmers at present are rather favourable to the scheme, as land is bought at 1/8 of current price of land Buenos Aires, and I believe not inferior in quality. And as to protection for life and property it only wants population to make it as good or even better than these camps. I expect the news of late by The Standard (as to the most of murders, &c.) has alarmed the people at home, but his statements are exaggerated and absurd, as he publish every thing he is told, not taking into consideration the character of his informants, which are generally people of no calling whatever, unless that of telling lies after making them. However he does no harm, but rather good as he is continually pitching in to the Ministry on this head, and we let him go on hammering away at them, as he may in the long run effect some reform in many of their laws. I shall in the course of two or there weeks have got through with the principal works now going on. I then intend going to Buenos Aires and from thence to Santa Fe to see the camps in that province, and to purchase if I see it expedient. I shall there meet Consul Hutchinson, as Rosario is one of the principal towns of that province, and is likely to become a city of some note. I think I am likely to find in the Consul and his Mrs not only a friend but a source from whence I can obtain every information respecting the country and the business that lead me to it. The distance to move sheep should not be more than half that which I had to travel from the South to where I now live, so that at least will be no impediment to intended purchasers. Dear Friends, you would be surprised to see the change the Almighty has been good enough to make in the appearance of the camps from the time I last wrote you till now. During the last week of the Seca you would scarce have believed that pasture could have grown to such an extent. Suffice to say that I’ve never before seen the camps better at this season, and sheep and all kind of stock in better order. I think we shall have about eight hundred or one thousand capones (wethers) to sell this year, the average about fifty dollars. We have señaled (marked) all the lambs of this lambing. The increase is reasonable and they are now beginning to lamb again. This next is what we call the spring or summer lambing. We have señaled up to now 2,650 lambs on the Estancia and the entire amount of sheep is 15,772. Of this there are 2,545 in the Rincon. So you see the Camp is full stocked this year again thanks to God, and we have either to sell sheep or buy camp again next. Greg Scallan time is up next March with the Rincon flock, and he is likely to have to move his part (1/3 increase). I believe I mentioned in a previous letter of us having got an Irish priest amongst us in Salto. We have also built a fine public school in Salto to which we all had to subscribe. And we are now collecting to build a Church, which the[y] expect to begin in the first of summer. The Irish has subscribed very liberal toward the Church, varying from twenty pounds down to one, according to their circumstances. When they finish the Church they are to build a bridge over the River Salto, which is much needed, as it is a dangerous river to pass when flooded. The banks on both sides are from twenty to thirty feet high with with crags on both sides very difficult to either descend or ascend. Dear Friends, We are as usual very much respected here both by the authorities and the respectable people of Salto, but we shall have more to do for the future to retain this respect, as there are many Irish rather rum characters come into this neighbourhood of late. But we keep our place and I am sure honesty and righteousness will always safe carry us safe through these obstacles and indicate the character of the good man. I have this moment received a few lines from Rev. James Roach P.P. (Wexford), in which he sent me his likeness. Tell him I am exceedingly thankful and that he could not have sent me a more esteemed present, and that I shall write him when I go to Buenos Aires I wish I had Father James Walsh also. The seasons are very much altered here as well as in Ireland. The winter quarter here is almost a continual frost, yet at the same time beautiful weather and healthy weather. The cold during the night and in the morning felt more than at home, but during the day sunny and fine with a bright clear atmosphere. Dear Friends, I have been expecting a letter by these last two mails, but I am in hope of getting one by the August mail with an account of how the cattle done with you for the year, and every thing else worth relating, or that would be interesting to me. By my next letter I shall be able [to] give you a better idea of how things will go on with me as to finding camp, as I may not write you until I return from Santa Fe. The wool this year is likely to bring a good price as the skins are selling at a much higher price now than ever I’ve known them before. I hear some account of the Raymond not coming out here any more, and perhaps her not coming may occasion you some trouble to seek another vessel for the passengers and the other articles I sent to you for. We have eight men on the Estancia now. Gregory Scallan (Blackwater), Nick Browne, James Howlin (Ballyell), Frank Doyle, Peter Cormick, James Dunne (Ballyhiland), Simon Gaul (Milltown), and Peter Moore (Longford), with Patt & myself, and we can all find plenty to do. May I could even find work for more if I had them as every man you keep employed in this country pay well for the expenses, if he be a good man. They are all well, and those amongst them of your old acquaintance send them kindest regards to all in Haysland. Let me know how are all the little ones in Haysland, and if little Kate or Willie yet remember of Nunky John. Give each of them a kiss for me. Don’t neglect letting me know how your are getting on at home, and how your are off for cash. Dear Brothers & Sisters, I must now withdraw and hope this will find you all in the enjoyment of every blessing, as your happiness will serve to increase that of your affectionate Brother, John Murphy |
