| Title: | John Kerr to James Graham |
|---|---|
| ID | 6221 |
| Collection | Ulster Migration to America. Letters from three Irish Families [R.A. Wells] |
| File | ulsterm/24 |
| Year | 1844 |
| Sender | Kerr, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | schoolmaster |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | St. Clair, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Newpark, Co. Antrim |
| Recipient | Graham, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | nephew-uncle |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 1342 |
| Genre | family, economy, politics |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: St. Clair, Pennsylvania Dale: 12 August 1844 A man in this neighbourhood is now about to set out for Ireland; I therefore embrace the opportunity of writing to you, although I have but a short time to write this letter, as he departs soon. I have not taught school this summer, but have been at an academy of Mr. Wright, Presbyterian Clergy man, learning Latin, Mathetmaticks, etc. I have been here since the beginning of May and will remain until the session closes, about the first of next month when I shall, I think, commence again to teach school. This is the way the greater part of the students obtain their education here. Since I last wrote I have been in good health—this summer has been a moderate and healthy one. I received William's letter on the 27th of April last; but I never got the one that Uncle David wrote, as William informed he wrote one. William's second letter, like the first, (which he and A. Black wrote), contained news unexpected and distressing—the news of Aunt Matilda's death. Indeed it was an occurrence which I little expected. Oh! how little did I think when I left Newpark, that in less than 2 years after I would have been gone, two of that family would be no more. William forgot, or rather neglected, to mention of what disease or at what time Matilda died. I wish when you next write you will remember to mention these. I see by William's letter that he has entered the Police Force, and indeed I must say, that he might have done worse. Every young man should endeavour to support himself as soon as possible and to acquire in his younger days what will be of use to him in manhood, and in old age. Although a trade would be hereafter more useful to William, and by preferring that to his present situation, would have been more prudent, yet in his present occupation he has amply opportunity for improvement, and acquiring that which may be useful to him hereafter. William may attend to his duty strictly, and this he should be very careful to do, and at the same time acquire by perseverence and energy a good education; and he may be assured that whenever his lot may be cast, whatever may be his situation in life, a good education will be a most valuable acquirement. Let him not trifle away his time in those trifling and useless pursuits which arc too common with many in the army, and doubtless also in the Constabulary, and may I add with a great part of mankind. I will write to William sometime in the winter, and will mention these things to himself which, if he remember and practise may be of use to him when he perhaps may least expect. I may merely add at present, that die letter he wrote me does not show much desire of improvement and composition; he appears to have written it, as I am obliged by haste to write this one, without either taking time to make choice of his words or to correct his errors; he should write every letter over, once or twice, if he wants to improve his style. I will give him a few hints on this subject when I write to him. The "Towns" now in this country are considerably improved. The commerce of the country has risen from its late depression and if the "Yankee" refrain from their former course of mad speculation, the trade of the nation will doubtless become good again. The markets at present in Pittsburgh arc without much animation. Butter is very cheap in summer on account of the difficulty of preserving it during the heat. All the best however it is far inferior to that in Ireland; people here say this is accounted for, when the close proximity of the sea to all parts of Ireland, and the distance of the sea from this place is considered. This may be one cause, and very likely, as the people here have to give salt very frequently to horses, cows, sheep, etc. This is done by laying down a handful of salt to them in the manger, or on a flat stone in the field, when they will greedily lick it up—I thought it somewhat strange when I first saw this. I am very sorry that I did not get Uncle David's letter—it must have been lost in some way in this country. I received 4 Dublin papers sent by you, and a Bristol (English) paper. The Warder containing the speeches of O'Connel’s counsel I did not get. The Warder is an excellent paper, but strong conservative, too much so for my taste. I received also about a month ago 3 numbers of the Belfast Chronicle and also a [small?] slip containing die proceedings of a meeting held in Antrim on the making of a new railway. I was very much gratified to learn, that there are some prospects for a railroad from Ballymena to Belfast. 1 think it would be of great benefit to that part of the country. Farmers and men of influence in die country should support that, and indeed every undertaking, for the good of the country. From my heart I wish it success. O'Connell, I see is imprisoned at last, I hardly expected this. Although I cannot agree with him on his views of repeal, yet I must say 1 sympathize with him, and feel for him [ ] circumstances. Indeed I must say, that I believe O'Connell, sincere in his exertions for his country; he has done much to promote its welfare, and however he may be mistaken in the present instance, still a man who loves Ireland, I cannot dislike. You may think I have imbibed principles too radical in this republican country. Well, if it be the case, we shall not like each other the less for a slight difference of opinion. I sent you some papers in the winter, and would have sent one every week, but I thought you would scarcely think them worth the postage, except when anything particular occurs; besides, all I send I think do not reach you. I sent you a Pittsburgh paper lately, with accounts of the late riots in Philadelphia; of the first riot that took place, I could not get the paper at the time to send. You will learn by the papers that we have no peace here any more than you have in Ireland. The "native America" party and the Irish were the beginners. The object of the "Natives" is to prevent foreigners from being naturalised until 21 years in the country. This the Irish do not like—for my part 1 care not a straw whether they pass this law or not; I am very well contended of still remaining a subject of your little queen. The election of the President of the United States will soon lake place, then I will send you papers. The two great parties, Whig and Democrat, have each a candidate; the former, Henry Clay, the latter. Governor Polk; there is another candidate among the "Liberty" or anti-slavery party, but I forget his name. You need not write until I write again, as I am not certain where I may be. I will give the direction in William's letter which you can open. Tell Wm not to put a cover on any of his letters, as it subjects them to double postage—his letter costs 50 cents; besides the least scrap in a newspaper costs as much as a whole one, you may therefore as well send a whole one. My letter is very full, excuse my errors. The man calls tomorrow morning very early. It is now 11 o'clock at night. I hope you arc all well- give my love to all. I have room to say no more and believe me yours till death. John Kerr |
