From William Wright   June 7th 1844

Cincinnati | June 7^th 1844

My Dear John

Yours of last month¹ arrived in due time. You will not be surprised when I inform you that it was the most unexpected visitor that ever presented itself to my view. For a week previous to its reception I had been in daily expectation of your arrival. I had all things in readiness for your comfort and had even put off a fishing excursion until you had arrived in order, as I expected that you would participate in the enjoyment even your seat at the oar had been preserved. But at the arrival of your letter all my castles vanished and for a moment I indulged in selfish thoughts, but it was only for an instant. Before I got half through your letter I was satisfied that you had acted right in deferring your anticipated voyage. Nay was rather gratified than otherwise. The principal cause of my gratification was that it would contribute a great deal to your father’s² happiness to have you near him, that alone compensated me for my disappointment, for I learned from my sister³ that he was taking your departure very much to heart and I was thinking he would not be at all obliged to me for my advice to you. Oh John we little know how the aged parent’s heart is rent when he looks as he supposes for the last time upon the features and form of his beloved one. It’s a sad struggle which takes place in his lonely bosom all in this life worth living for seems to depart from his grasp. If it’s your lot to be thus separated may you be both spared to meet again is my ardent prayer. I little thought when I last looked upon my honoured Father⁴ that it was the last I should see of him in this life. I feel deeply deeply feel what I have been deprived of myself and my fate seemed to interest him more than that of any other of the family. May he rest in peace. I know not why I have indulged in this strain. But these thoughts seemed uppermost in my mind and I was obliged to give them utterance. I expect you would rather have this letter filled with something more instructive. Another source of pleasure your absence was that it would give you an opportunity of signalizing yourself in the Co. Carlow,⁵ for I must confess it would be my highest ambition to get big in my own country. It is said in the good Book that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.⁶ I hope it may not be so with surveyors, or whatever you style yourself. I forgot to state in the commencement of this that upon the first perusal of your letter that I intended to inform the Grand Jury of Carlow⁷ of the black sheep you were, I would soon have you out here then, but upon second thoughts I thought I would let you take your fling, for like a true Irishman I despise and detest a Pirater. Well Jack I wish you a hearty success, its speedy completion, and a quick voyage across the Atlantic as soon as you have got through with it, until then your bed shall be kept aired and a vacant seat at my hearth. Believe me I am very happy that you were so agreeably disappointed in my not being aboard of the illfated Shepherdess.⁸ I assure I have no fancy to be put under water or frozen into a statue as some of the poor participators in that catastrophe were. Do not let the recent riots in Philadelphia⁹ have any weight with you as the sober intelligent part of the community denounce them in no measured terms. I am sorry to add that the Irishmen were the first aggressors but nothing can justify the awful retribution with which they were visited. I sent you a newspaper¹⁰ giving an account of it, I hope you may receive it. It also contained several wood cuts giving a description of the several places during and after the conflagration. The excitement seems to have entirely subsided. Here in Cincinnati I have not heard it once mentioned for 3 weeks at least.

John keep that meet again forever before your eyes, never for a moment lose sight of it, as soon as you have your job completed I hope you will still determine if possible to visit the Queen City of the West.¹¹ Ever remember that within its limits beats a heart whose highest gratification will be accomplished when its possessor beholds you face to face. We are well here. By this time I suppose you will have learned that my sisters¹² arrived safe in about seven weeks. Business has been pretty good with me this Spring and we are getting along pretty smooth. Sarah¹³ is in the State of Indiana on a visit and the 2 children are with her also. So you see I am a bachelor once more. Give my best wishes to all the old stock about Leighlin. I am much obliged to William Murray¹⁴ for his kind enquiry I hope he is doing well. Now Jack you must keep up a regular and frequent correspondence with me, and give me all the news Civil Military Foreign and Domestic about Leighlin. If you could inform my mother¹⁵ of our welfare I will be much obliged. I will now bid you farewell

I remain yours forever | William Wright.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/5/1820-1821

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