| Title: | John Campbell White, Baltimore to Robert Simms, Belfast. |
|---|---|
| ID | 445 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Campbell White, John/22 |
| Year | 1804 |
| Sender | Campbell White, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | merchant |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Simms, Robert |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | business |
| Source | T 1815/14: Copied by Permission of the Presbyterian Historical Society, Church House, Fisherwick Place, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 8809113 |
| Date | 04/12/1804 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 26:11:1993 |
| Word Count | 812 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Mr Robert Simms Merchant Belfast Ireland Baltimore 4th December [1804?] My Dear Simms I think in the course of the last [period of weeks?] I had the pleasure [?] you. Since which [news?] of your much esteemed letter [has?] reached me. I still hold the same opinion with [respect?] to the [removal?] of yourself & family to this country which I then [expected?]. The various accounts we receive from different parts of europe give every reason to conclude that the present warfare will in the course of the enquiry [?] extend itself pretty generally through Europe, of course trade & [security?] of [property?] will experience much inconvenience & hasard [hazard?]. The prudent merchant will venture into [?] but in a very small scale, his profits will be at least [inconsiderable?] at all counts they will be precarious. Your military, & naval establishment will keep up or rather increase, taxes will not diminish & civil liberty will not experience any [extension?]: under such circumstances a residence in a country [far removed?] from the [conflicting parties?] professing a trade to all parts of the world [without restriction?] carried on to an extent unheard of in so young a country where civil, religious, & political liberty are enjoyed to the fullest extent, where no more taxes, [on imports?] are [levied?] on the citisens [citizens?] than are [barely?] adequate to the wants & [security?] of the [state?], [must?] to the [unflinching?] mind afford feelings of the most pleasing kind - That any amelioration of the Governments of Europe & more especially of my native country is likely to take place, I have no hope. Revolutionary & reforming France, has abandoned [any?] principle that can enter into the heart of a FreeMan, they are on the one hand a set of bloody minded evil hearted tyrants, & on the other a mass of crushing contemptible [slaves?]. I here send you an extract of a letter written by a Gentleman of the first [respectability?], of the [greatest?] capacity for observation, & of the most upright [?], who has spent a #PAGE 2 considerable time in France upon that subject. He is an Irishman he says "lets not hesitate to declare my opinion, (& it is one not lightly formed) that if the French [under?] the present Government, are to invade Ireland, however specious the promise by which they would attempt to deceive, & [?] friends, they would look for Aristocracy in its hiding, [places?] & reestablish it in [power?], they would expect failure, & our dissensions prescribe principles, & endeavour to destroy whatever might remain of republician sentiments or opinions - I rejoice to believe that they will not, & cannot go there I would earnestly entreat my Countrymen to found no schemes of emancipation upon the prospect of their assistance". I put implicit confidence in this opinion, & I am sure it will not be received lightly by you - The elections [prelecters?] of President & Vice President are now nearly over, the majority in favour of Mr Jefferson & his system, expresses what I have reported to you, it is now reputed that [the vote?] will [stand thus?], for Thomas Jefferson 163, Opposition 13, this is next to [unanimity?] & is an object of [sincere?] rejoicing to any real well wisher to the Republican system. The secretary of the treasury has given in a most favourable report of our finances, & of the receipt of the Revenue exceeding the estimate of that year [indeed?] in a national point of view, our circumstances have the most flattering appearance - I have much pleasure in informing you, that the great & good Thos. [Thomas?] A. Emmet his wife & 4 children, arrived at New York about a fortnight ago, they have been received with great friendship by the Citizens & he has received the most marked attention & handsomest civilities for the first Gentleman in the City & in the state. He is now on his way to Washington, & has resided with me these four days, he has in this city met with similar hospitality, & an equally cordial reception for our most respected citizen, he proceeds in a few days to Washington. His lady & children remain at New York until he determines on his place of residence, which I think will be New York. There is a great opening produced there by the death of Hamilton & the secession for the [?] of Burr, but there is no doubt of his success in any of the large towns. He has been conversing with me about you, he holds the warmest affection, & friendship for you, & desires me to tell you for him, that it is his sincere opinion you should lose no time in removing yourself & family to this Country - Prices of Merchandise the same as in my last quotation #PAGE 3 I am My Dear Simms yours Sincerely John Campbell White |
