From William Wright   September 9th 1844

Cincinnati | September 9th 1844.

My dear Jack

What in the name of all creation keeps you from writing for the last two months? I have been expecting a letter from you on the arrival of every steamer which conveys the Mail from England to the States. It is with regret I witness their arrival and departure without their conveying either a letter to or from me. I always put off writing until the monthly steamer’s arrival is announced and then I am on tip-toe for a line from some friendly pen. But her arrival in the most instances only brings disappointment to me. I do not like to give up the hope of receiving a letter at once and so put off expecting that it may have been mislaid. But when I find that it is all useless I then begin to storm and swear that I will not write home again, it takes some time before I am cooled down, against then the steamer has departed on her voyage and I suppose only to convey the same annoyance to you. In good earnest Jack what has hindered you to send me an answer or reply to that letter which I forwarded in May¹ to you immediately after I received yours which contained your determination of not emigrating for some time. I suppose you are so much engaged in your undertaking that you have not a few minutes to devote to your old acquaintance and friend. Well time changes all things and I suppose there is little use in finding fault with her ravages. I did not expect she would have so soon made impressions on you. If you ever put your foot on fair Columbia’s shore I would be just as anxious to hear of your welfare. This morning about ½ past 2 o’clock by the cry of fire and being a member of No 3 company I was obliged to turn out, we got it under about 9 o’clock, since that time I have been busy in the store till now ½ past 9 p.m. I inform you of this merely as a set off against all the errors which this sheet will contain. I suppose you are hard at work prosecuting your survey, I hope when you have got it finished your mind will be more intent on coming out than it has ever been. I regret very much that you were not here this summer as a vacancy occurred which would have suited you exactly. A brother-in-law² of my uncle John’s³ wanted a book keeper and I am certain that 3 weeks’ study would make you perfect master of it you would have no difficulty in obtaining a situation. I am not aware whether it is agreeable to your friends that I should be thus advising you, still when I address you I cannot refrain from encouraging you to come out. And I would say to you if you ever do arrive make up your mind to view the brightest side of every landscape for the first 2 months. After that time you will be thoroughly Americanised and every little difference and annoyance (which a foreigner meets with on his arrival) will be unheeded by you. There are a great many little differences and oddities which will beset you and if you are at all inclined to find fault you will have plenty of opportunity to do so. I am led into these remarks by the conduct of my sisters⁴ since their arrival – every little matter which a person of good sense would laugh at seems to annoy them most astonishingly. I was unfortunate enough to advise them to come out and I must confess that I am very, very sorry for it. For instead of being an assistance to me it is the reverse and for the life [of me], I cannot fathom their excentricities. Whether it is our free air that has made them more than independent or that their bump of self-esteem has grown so large that it has left no room for those of a more admired nature I cannot tell, not being anything of a phrenologist. Now Jack I know that you have got too much good sense and information to be annoyed by trifles. When I first came to this country, as yourself knows I was much inclined to find fault. But after 3 years experience through rough and smooth I would not exchange or leave it on any consideration. I feel that I and all around me are free men, each on a part of the mighty Sovereignty of this widespread republic, whose sword has more than once been measured with the mighty nations of the earth and has always come off victorious. Oh that I could say so for the land of my birth. But it will and must be said be the day far or near. I have merely written this letter to stir you up to write to me. I have only to add that we are getting along pretty comfortably – business very fair for the season, and I find prospect of a good fall business, and to renew my invitation to you and your messmate.⁵ I have been contemplating a trip to Santa Fe in New Mexico next March. There is a large trade carried on between the cities of the West and that country, it lies West of the Rocky Mountains. The merchandise is conveyed in wagons over the boundless prairies of the West. The traders go in large companies of 3 or 4 hundred to protect themselves and wares from the bands of hostile Indians who occupy the country through which they pass. They occasionally have a smart brush with them and also rare sport hunting the buffalo which they meet with in large numbers on their route. I have not quite made up my mind about it yet, I am getting acquainted with the traders and it is more than probable I will go. Give my respects to your Father and Mother⁶ Caleb⁷ and William⁸ and all the rest of the old stock, may they be as happy and as well off as I would wish them. If you have any opportunity of informing Mother⁹ of all our welfare I would be much obliged. A note addressed to her to No 12 Nicholas Street would find her out. You might say that the girls are in good health and wish for a letter from her very much. And now old fellow good bye and let me soon hear from you and know all the old folk.

Your old friend and shipmate | William Wright.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/5/1822-1823

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