Digital Archive
Moses Paul, Petersburg, Virginia, to John Graham, Esq., Magherafelt, County Derry, 29 December 1840
Luaigh an doiciméad seo Amharcóir IIIF
Bailiúchán Paul Letter
Title Moses Paul, Petersburg, Virginia, to John Graham, Esq., Magherafelt, County Derry, 29 December 1840
Description Moses Paul admonishes his friend John Graham for not writing to him since he arrived in 'this republic" nearly two years previous, even as he acknowledges Graham's kindess to his sister. The latter has written to Paul but he presumes "She is still as predjudiced as ever against America and americans". While stating that he has 'turned American" he admits that "Americans are a little [underlined] better than savages [...] I know we are blamed for slavery, but we cannot help it -- we are obliged [...]". He claims that he is composing this letter while an auctioneer is 'displaying his Eloquence before the enlightened and free sons of Columbia -- over a lot of fine, healthy, likely negroes he is hiring out for the year 1841". He explains 'hiring out" as a means to send slaves that he owns but has no work for, to an auctioneer who will rent them out for a year to the highest bidder. Paul hopes he will see his relatives again 'but I am living in an uncertain climate -- here today and gone tomorrow". He asks Graham to send his affection to "that sweet Miss Eliza Duncan" but tell her he almost fell in love in America with "one of the most beautiful ladies I ever saw".
Date 29/12/1840
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Cineál Acmhainne Text
Archival Record Id p155/3/4/2
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 4pp
Topic Paul Letter
Geographic Petersburg,Virginia,United States,Magherafelt,Derry (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen forties
Genre Transcript
Note Title and transcript by Professor Kerby Miller. Letter descriptionby University of Galway.
Creator / Author Name Moses Paul