From William Wright   July 9th. 1845.

July 9th. 1845.

My dear John

I thank you a thousand times for your ever welcome letter.¹ I am sorry I was not able to send a reply by the same steamer which brought it out, if I sent one by the return Mail, it would arrive in Boston 2 days after the departure of the steamer for England. You never penned a line which received as hearty or as grateful a reception as it met with. The pure spirit of youthful friendship and forbearance which pervaded its every line gave me untold satisfaction and was heartily responded to by my grateful heart. The forbearance I must admit was exclusively yours. I am glad you did not accuse me of indifference un-kindness or forgetfulness for to all the charges I would plead not guilty although you have not received a line from me since September often has ‘My dear Jack’ appeared upon the heading of a sheet intended for him. But the fact is Jack, visions of notes coming due and a dull business prevented their completion, for while so impressed I could not write to my satisfaction (nor do I expect I will do so now). Never Jack while memory keeps her seat will you be forgotten, and although at times I may seem neglectful you will always remain the green spot on memory’s waste,² just now a dark cloud seems to envelope the sunshine of my prosperity and heaven only knows when it will be dispelled. Last fall I laid in a heavy stock of winter goods in expectation of doing an increased trade, the winter was an unusually mild one and the consequence was that a depreciation was obliged to be submitted to in connection with small consumption. The Spring has done likewise both together have crippled me considerably and I am in rather unpleasant circumstances. If I am obliged to give way before them, I intend to remove to Upper California³ which will ere long be the theatre of a mighty struggle between the U.S. and England. As you are aware it lies immediately South of Oregon⁴ and as that country is not Texas annexating that will disturb the friendly relations which exists between the two countries,⁵ which ever power retains her hold on Oregon will also be soon master of California, although the country naturally belongs to Mexico. Yet as sure as Texas was wrested from her grasp⁶ so will the fertile valley of California. By the way Jack, you mistake Mr Polk’s⁷ situation in the affair of annexation if you suppose he can create or control public opinion on any question of importance – certainly not on the Oregon or Texas question.⁸ He may direct or oppose it but when the fiat has gone forth from a majority of people he is bound to submit to its dictates and as a public servant carry out its will. Annexation as far as the United States are concerned is completed, and news [which] has been received by the very mail which has just arrived from South Texas⁹ has consummated it. Notwithstanding the subtle interference of France and England, they succeeded in obtaining the consent of miserable and distracted Mexico to acknowledge the independence of Texas forsooth, as if they had not done so for the last 9 years in defiance of all her actions, ah and more than once defeated her legions and made her greatest chieftain Santa Ana¹⁰ beg his life like a dog at the foot of Old Sam Huston¹¹ the victorious leader of the Texans at the battle of San Jacinto.¹² By the Lord if Mexico does not keep quiet and not be revolutionising itself every 2 or 3 years we will have to annex it and unfurl the glorious stars and stripes upon the wall of the Montezumas¹³ as the principles of self-government as developed in the United States is and will attract the attention of all who are oppressed and I believe the day is not far distant when this whole North American Continent will be under one confederated government. The surrounding States cannot but behold with admiration the progress which the United States are making in all the arts and sciences useful to civilized life and in the arts they have taught the old world something, at the present moment you have a Cincinnati man¹⁴ learning you something about the electric magnetic light. It is much doubted here whether it will ever be productive of much good. If he should succeed according to his expectations there will be no more use for the sun as a luminary, however as I see you do not take much notice of it in the public prints you would seem to be satisfied with your present mode of lighting. I must leave these grounds and come to something more akin to both of us. I was surprised to find you were not aware of the return of my sisters¹⁵ although they must be in Ireland some 3 weeks before you wrote. I was not in the best humour imaginable when they left and consequently did not write home by them, this is the first letter I have written I believe since January, so that you have no reason to be jealous. I must also inform you that I have had another youngster added to my stock since then, a tolerably good looking chap, you will perceive how slow my imagination is getting since the arrival of the first. We have called him Samuel Watson Wright,¹⁶ after a brother of Sarah’s.¹⁷ Well Jack, I suppose we must give up the idea of seeing you in Cincinnati, your present employment must be pleasant and lucrative. I have often thought if you had come out that time perhaps you might be disappointed, and that it was quite as well things turned out as they did. It is a hard thing to scan the future even in this world, I often think if I had staid at home I might have done as well. But no, if I had lived at home I never could feel as I do now even under disappointment. Should I be obliged to give up business I must only turn in and work a little harder or as is most likely on the far off shores of the Pacific. I wish I had an opportunity of sending you one of the numerous works which are written on the country. Forbes¹⁸ an English Consul has written a good work, I wish you would peruse it although it is not as favourable an account as other writers have given of it. But if one half that is written of it is true it must be the most delightful country in the world. All agree that the climate is the most uniform they have ever visited. The productions of its soil surpass that of every other country known, in their variety and numbers almost all the grains are indigenous productions. Oats and wheat grow wild. I suppose it must be a bad place for a man to sow his wild oats in. Nearly 8 thousand stout hearts and rifles have left the West this Spring and I have no doubt but that twice the number will leave for there the following Spring. In a very short time they will be able and will turn out all the minions of Mexico, in 2 years the concentrated power of all Mexico could not dislodge them. The journey there is exceedingly interesting and exciting, attended with a great deal of privation, severe toil, and suffering. 4 months is about the time spent in crossing the country – the distance 2,100 miles, from Independence on the Missouri river to San Francisco on the Bay of S. Francisco. The emigrants principally subsist on the buffalo which is met with in large numbers on the prairie. The emigrants generally go in companies of 200 to 500 so that they are always sufficient to repel any attack that may be made by hostile Indians that infect the route and also to supply a number of hunters who forage for the camp. The expense I suppose of the whole outfit would be about 20 pounds sterling. I have no doubt but numbers from the old world will find their way out there next Spring. The sea voyage is very long and dangerous Perhaps we may meet there yet, if so what joy will be in store for us. I feel if I was single I would set out there now; as it is Spring, if I am alive, will behold me up and doing. So now Jack I must bid you farewell and

believe I remain yours for ever | William Wright.

I must not close without enquiring after your Father¹⁹ and Mother’s²⁰ health I hope they enjoy a good state of it, Emma²¹ I hope is also well. You from your migratory occupation must be hale and hearty – that you may long enjoy it along with all the other blessings of this life is my most sincere wish. Give my best regards to your father mother and sister do not forget remembering me to Billy Tyndall²² when you are writing next which must be very soon, write to Leighlin and tell father²³ to give you all news which has accumulated there for years in order that you may transmit it to me, whenever opportunity offers by letter or otherwise. You would make my best respects and kind wishes to the old folks in Leighlin. Tell father I will be very much obliged to him if he would transmit the intelligence which I have requested of you, and not to be particular, you cannot be aware how slight a thing which occurs there interests me, excuse me for the trouble it may occasion and once more I bid you farewell.

William Wright

We are all in good health here I hope you will not lose much time before you write again. I suppose you have noticed in the newspaper the arrival at Liverpool of the [Murkingam] Bank from Cincinnati,²⁴ it must have been received with interest. The idea alone of a vessel being built and freighted 2000 miles from the sea board is rather novel, at present there is lying at the wharf a revenue cutter ship rigged with screw propeller attached ‘Jim Hall’,²⁵ that would do credit to any shipbuilders. She belongs to uncle Sam.²⁶ I wish you would send me a few Irish newspapers say the Carlow Sentinel. I like to see the local news.

Direct your letter to the post office here as probably I may not be in 5th Street when you write. I send you some newspapers, if you know anything of Joe²⁷ or Tom Payne²⁸ I wish you would let me know and oblige.

yours | W. Wright.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/5/1824-1827

LT Transcript Only