Robert Smyth, Philadelphia to James Smyth, Moycraig, County Antrim, in care of the Moss-side Postmaster, County Antrim, 2 June 1840
Description
Robert Smyth [sarcastically?] writes home using the language of international diplomacy over the "boundary question" to "deputise James Scott as act my minister until my return to Europe". He further advises his parents and friends of news of European vessels arriving at American ports, "in dreadful condition, full of sickness" including two which arrived in their channel with smallpox on board. He also lists several more at Gross Isle, below Quebec with many deaths on board from smallpox and typhus fever. Yet, Smyth claims, still daily arrive "many of my countrymen" which provokes cries of "God help them what is going to become of them", from those favourable to old countrymen. However, the native-born "abhor the name of the Irish" and claim they were solely responsible for the "alarming a situation" the country was in. Meanwhile the crops looked bountiful even as the money market was bad. Smyth reassures that he intends to return next year, while glad his brother had taken his advice and remained at home. He concludes with news of friends and acquaintances.
Date
02/06/1840
Date Issued
27/03/2023
Resource Type
Text
Archival Record Id
p155/1/3/1
Publisher
University of Galway
Extent
3pp
Topic
Smith/ Smyth Letters
Geographic
Philadelphia (city),Philadelphia (county),Pennsylvania,United States,Moycraig Hamilton (townland),Antrim (county),Ireland
Temporal
Nineteenth century,Eighteen forties
Genre
Transcript
Note
Title and transcript by Professor Kerby Miller. This transcript includes handwritten corrections to transcript from PRONI, made with reference to original letters. Letter description by University of Galway. The names Smith and Smyth are used interchangeably in this series so both are quoted.