| Title: | W.H. Downes, New York to J. Shaughnessy, [Co. Limerick?] |
|---|---|
| ID | 859 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Downes, W.H/23 |
| Year | 1887 |
| Sender | Downes, W.H. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | manager at tea trading company, |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | NYC, USA |
| Destination | Ireland? |
| Recipient | Shaughnessy, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | Mr. W. O'Shaugnessy [O'Shaughnessy?] |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9103025 |
| Date | 13/10/1887 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C.R., 02:12:1993. |
| Word Count | 1451 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company The Largest Importers and Distributors in the World Two Hundred Stores in U.S 268 Columbia Street, Bet. Carroll and Summit Sts., ______________________________________ |"The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co's| |celebrated Teas, Coffees and Baking | |Powder have been my solace through | |life." GRANDMOTHER.| -------------------------------------- Brooklyn, Oct 13 1887 James Shaughnessy Esq My Dear Old Comrado It is with feelings of regret that I acknowledge my negligence in delaying to answer your highly esteemed letter. You will, I am sure forgive me when I say, that it was not through any want of appreciation that I failed to respond before now. During the time that Arthur was enjoying himself in dear old Pallas Kenry I was on a temperance crusade in Phila. [Philadelphia?] It was a National Convention comprising delegates from all the Societies in America. In the procession there were over 70000 men. The Convention lasted one week. I was honored by being elected Provincial Vice President of New York Brooklyn and New Jersey. Besides all the confusion incident to a convention of that nature the Company transferred me from one store to another. On taking charge of the new store, I had to devote my whole time to the arranging of stock etc. which in a retail store is not an easy task. The retail stores here must be fitted up in grand style. Even the paper on walls is imported chinese scenery. Everything else must be in keeping with wall decoration. I have had a busy time; but now I am all right. Sundays are all devoted to temperance. I go around from one society to another and enjoy myself in that way. I got disgusted with the drinking habits, practiced here by too many of our country people. I know a number of people from home who have become sots, through the terrible influence of the intoxicating cup. America is no place for a man who intends to tipple. It may be pardonable in Americans, or Germans. In the first because their temperment is not so exciteable as ours and in the latter because of the drinking custom which prevails #PAGE 2 in their native country. Germans are mostly raised on Wine and beer hence their systematic method of drinking. Drinking however ruins their health as the liquor beer Etc. is adulterated to a greater extent in this country, than it is in Germany. At the same time, the use of liquor does not impede their progress in a financial way. They, as a Class - are cool and self possessed even though they are continually in a state of semi inebriation. But the Irish people should never touch liquor or beer in America. that is if they are desirous of becoming good citizens, and reflect credit on the land, that bore them. We are too quick in the first place. Too open minded in the second, and last but not least. too ready, to lavish our money. I know men in this Country, who were considered "Models" at home - now drunken sots. Having lost their respect through nothing else but drink. This is why I have devoted so much of my time to the question of total abstinence. It is the golden lever which will guide our weak machinery to a successful goal. Do then I ask you, endeavor to organize a Total Abstinance Society, and have it attached to your church. Father Burke will only be too glad to co-operate with you. Why, You can do an immense good by engaging in this work. You can make it a Benevolent Organization, by having the members pay in so much a month. and when a member is sick the Society can pay him so much a week. I thought Arthur would inaugerate something of that kind when he went home, but instead of that he was encouraging people to drink rum, at "Keeffes" Please tell Johnie to get out of the business. It is no good. Bishop Ireland of Minnesota says that at one time men, had either to work or beg but now you can step in between, and open a Liquor Store. I have occupied too much of your time with temperance talk and now we will consider other topics. First I will say that I was very glad to learn from Arthur, that you were doing well and also I was also pleased to hear that good Father and Mother were well. How. I would wish to see them: Arthurs recital of home happenings brought me back in spirit to dear old Pallas Kenry, and not forgetting Pady Downes Hedge, and Daniel Keeffe's Bog. Those days shall always keep bright in my memory. Oh; when I think of the innocence existing in Ireland compared to this Country, it makes me shed tears. When I think of Shannon Grove Cross and the many pleasant evenings I spent there. How the Miss Halpins, Lynchs and Mulqueens would dance while I played the only reel I then had. viz "My Love is in America" And on returning home, when near Dave Lynch's I could hear Tom Connell, yet singing "By the #PAGE 3 Sweet Silver Light Bonny Moon". Then again I remember the night on which we stole Keeffs [Keeffes?] Creel, which we loaned to Tomeen Rourke. Yes and I remember when I used to extinguish Bid Shea's Lamp with a long sall rod wet at the end. I used to accomplish that trick by reaching in over the "half door" By the way do you remember the day Robin Marshall put the red sod of turf on poor Ned the ass's back, in order to make him run. or do you remember, when we used to sit at Mr Keeffe's fire, and when he used to notice, that we were talking he used to ask us what we were saying and you would respond by saying something about old "Johnny Gentleman" Now I think I have mentioned enough to prove how my love for old Pallas has not diminished with time. Some of our people come here and after they are a year in the country they try to shake off everything Irish from their appearance, and acting. But I assure Ireland does not suffer in the least by such people disowning it, as they are either grossly ignorant, or have done something of which, Ireland would have cause, to hang her head, for having given birth to such cowards and traitors. I dont associate with many from home. They, are not, I am sorry to say, many of them at least...the right kind. I fear you will scarcely be able to make out my writing. I do so much writing lately. for the papers, that I have become careless. I sent the Irish World to Pat (or Bouchal) last week. Try and see it. There is a letter of mine on it, on temperance. I shall send you some papers next week. I shall note, all the information I desire you to send me, and sincerely hope, that there will be No Blanks. 1st Tell me as much as is consistant, about your own family. About Bridget Mary and Maggie, and not forgetting your Good, and deservedly respected Father and Mother. 2nd About Jim Walsh (little Jim) and his Father William, or more familiarly known us Billy. 3rd Geo [George?] Speren- [t?] and wife. I often think of Miss Smallwood, as she participated in the enjoyable evenings which spent in Shannon Grove. 4th Johny Keeffe who often done justice to Dolly Don of Donnybrook. The Kilkenny Girl Etc. He promised to send me that song but failed I would like to get it. I have heard about Pat, so I will spare you from asking anything about him. I am glad to know that he is well, Please remember me to him. Let me know particularly about Shannon Grove as follows, about Johny Connell. James Halpin, and his sisters, Ellie Lynch (Dave) Etc Etc. Send me if possible Miss Halpins address. so as I can send papers occassionally. I get so many papers I dont know what to do with them I have seven papers served in the store everyday, and then on Sundays I get five or six weekly #PAGE 4 papers. I will now sum up by requesting you to write as soon as possible, and a long long letter at that. I forgot to inform you, that I see your brother John quite often. He is doing well, and is one of the few from home who is worthy of respect. He is married the second time. His first wife I knew very well. She was a most estimable lady. I dont know the 2nd wife, but I understand that she is a good woman, and owns some good property. John is worthy of being happy. He never forgot the good example shown by his Father and Mother I will now close by wishing you Good By. [Bye?] and kind love to all. Yours Sincerely W H Downes |
