William Richey, Hulton P.O., Allegheny County, PA, to Mrs. J. Heron, Tullyveery House, Killyleagh, County Down, 1 January 1865
Description
After seventeen years since parting with Mrs James Herron and family, William Richey writes to give news of all that has occurred to him in America, including marriage, children and their home in "a beautiful locality 10 miles north of the City of Pittsburg" while affirming that "this is a Great and good country and Americans a Great People". He relates news of the "Gigantic Rebellion" and that he visited the scene of a battle to retrieve the body of his brother-in-law "there I saw the desolation of war that africian slavery has brought upon this land, but slavery is now dead and it will be forever buried with the end of this rebellion. Slavery was the curse and cause and it is right it should die". He affirms that as he is now an American citizen he may be drafted into the army and would serve willingly as "our cause is good and just". He hopes that war will not break out against England as there are "bitter feelings" against her here for having "acted unfriendly". [the letter is appended with a note stating "This letter is from an old Tully veery servant domiciled in America".]