| Title: | Patrick Murphy to Martin Murphy, 10 August 1873 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4117 |
| Collection | Argentina - Murphy |
| File | murphy/92 |
| Year | 1873 |
| Sender | Murphy, Patrick |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | cattle breeder |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Estancia Caldera, Rojas, 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 | 935 |
| Genre | illness, cattle, family, photographs, correspondence |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Estancia Caldera Rojas Dear Brother Martin, You will excuse me in not writing to you ere this. I did intend doing so last month, but circumstances prevented me doing so. Also, I was in much better spirits, as I am now suffering twelve days form a fearfull pain in my back. Since I came to this country I have felt my back very delicate. Consequently, when I catch cold it invariably affects me in the back. You are previously aware that we are frequently annoyed by dry or bad winters in this neighbourhood, and I am sorry to inform you this one is no exception. I have had to move nearly all the sheep I own. John also a good quantity, at least twelve thousand, have left the Estancia for Salto, where they have the consolation of favourable winters, with few exceptions every year. But for the work I had to arrange the sheep, and prepare them for the road and travelling with some of them, I would have written you sooner. I need not tell you how we felt on the receipt of your last letter, on hearing of our dear little sons progressing so well. I assure you I was rather surprised to hear of Nicky having so advanced in arithmetic, a state I am sure he could not arrive to with less than three or four years schooling in this unfortunate country. I am not surprised to hear of Johnny being backward in learning. He was always very stupid, and careless also, consequently indisposed to learn what he is required, unless a little severity is practised. Therefore, whatever you see is required, I expect you to take an absent brother’s part, and I will feel obliged. I was very glad to hear you received the likeness all right. And as you remark, we all look pretty well. I am happy to inform you that none of us, I really believe, were flattered in the photographs. Mary looks well, is hale and healthy. I am, as you say, much stouter than ever I was, and thanks to God we all enjoy excellent health. The only thing I have got to complain of is the bad years or dry winters we invariably have in or experience in this neighbourhood, and all from a superabundance of pasture in summer, that they are not addicted to in other places. It would be better for us, had we to draw water for our flocks in summer time, as they have to do nearly all the country through, instead of basking in sunshine at our ease, to our individual disadvantage afterwards. Consequently, it’s very doubtful whether I be in a position to perform my promise of seeing ye all as soon as I expected, but yet it’s not impossible. I never received but one letter form Mr Mansfield, and that a long time since. It will not be long until I write to him again. Any person that would be writing to me directly, it’s quite necessary to get same registered for the sole purpose of coming to hand, with more security, for you must be aware how backward in this country we are in regard of postal regulations. I think it costs only four pence extra. We were very sorry to hear of poor Joe Murphy’s death. I imagined the passage home instead of hastening on his death would have been the means of preserving it for many years. God rest his soul. Give our kind regards to the remainder of the family, for which we sympathise very much. Our regards also to Nick Pierce and George Furlong. Mary and all the youngsters desire affectionately to be remembered to Johnny and Nicky, and to all the other members of your family circle, and be kind enough to accept the same from your dear brother, Patt P.S. Since I wrote the above I have scribbled the enclosed for George Furlong, which you will please deliver. Patt [Enclosed note from John James Murphy]: Dear Brother, James Howlin, late of Ballyall has requested of me to get out his cousin, Patt Howlin, Miltown, by the first opportunity. I also require a couple of men for myself. When sending the other part of this letter to Thos. Royden & Son, you may communicate with them regarding the above passengers, to see if they can bring them out on your security and mine. At the same time, write to other agents about it also, and if any of them will bring them to send them by first possible sailing as we should like them to be here by shearing time, which commences in or about the first of October. After finding a ship to bring them, you may enclose them the remaining part of this note as an acknowledgement of me having given you the above instructions. If they could get out by the steamers, it would be much better as they would then be here in time for shearing. Write to the agents in Liverpool and you might also see the agent in Wexford if there be any, so as to have them out as quick as possible. I leave the choice of the two men to yourself, as you know by this time the class of men that best answer. Dear brother, all friends are well, a blessing I hope you all enjoy at home. Let me know when you require any money, as I can at any time that I am in Buenos Aires send it to you. Adieu, John Murphy |
