James Richey, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to his parents, Ireland, 2 March 1826
Description
James Richey complains to his parents that aside from a single letter from his sister, he has had no correspondence with home. He relates that he is in good health despite the prevalence of disease such as Billious Fever and Tipes Fevers, while Smallpox rages in the south, particularly in New Orleans, 1600 miles to the south, but connected by steam boats in six days. He relates that "America is growing a very powerful nation the people are pompous and proud and boasts desperately of the freedom and Independence and republicanism" and notes that they have a "deep interest for the welfare of Ireland". Richey hopes America will one day make its inhabitants a" free people" being the only country who could. He opines that England will not go to war again with America who "could conquer any Single Nation on earth". He states that the Irish in America are well received and seen as "Patriotic Republicans" but that the "Scotch are not much liked here" being branded as "Kings men [...] Whigs & Tories". Richey gives news of his own work "Store Keeping" and marrying a "Little Irish Girl" aged 20-years-old from Londonderry, after a short courtship of two years. He concludes hoping for his brother Andrew to come over.