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Samuel Brown, Philadelphia, to nephew, James Brown [David's son], Belfast, 30 December 1816
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Collection Brown Brothers Letters
Title Samuel Brown, Philadelphia, to nephew, James Brown [David's son], Belfast, 30 December 1816
Description Is glad to learn that James's brother, William Brown, was "giving up the idea of coming to this country, as the interest of his father so much depended on him in the business, indeed I was always against him coming, but James Brown wished him, and himself wrote pressing letters to come. But it is an old creed of mine never to insist on any one of my Relations to come here. But if they do come they shall not want a friend, Dear james you mentioned in your letter your mind was unsettled and had a thought of coming to America. I should be glad to see you and could be of service to you. But notwithstanding if you have good prospects in Belfast was I in your place I would not risk a change, for this country is altred very much, all the young men that has come here lately would be glad they had not come here But your coming would be very different as you mentioned you could be supplied with goods from your friends, and even they your mind would be uneasy in making safe sales, but I hope the time will soon be better ... Business in this city is very bad and has been so these years back. But our Failures has not been so great as in New York we look much for the opening of the United States bank for relief goods from England of all kinds is sold here at vandue and hardly brings Currency for sterling in many things at fandue the reason is thus, Merchants before they fail sends them vandue and forces sales to get Cash but that business will soon be done and I think in the spring we will have old times and goods will bring a fare price". Prices were very low, making some merchant/trader friends from Ulster consider taking up farms in Canada. Samuel has subscribed $16-17,000 to purchase stock of the new Bank of the U.S. ( 1816); is now short of cash and pressed to pay the installments. Recent immigrants, friends of James's in Belfast, were not doing well. "your uncle Thomas is also well and Doing very well James Brown is very well and Does Well I Shall give up the Painting the nex[t] Month to Him". Describes local prices of and demand for Irish goods. Wants to know the year he was born: "ask Brother Robert I think he knows".
Date 30/12/1816
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Resource Type Text
Archival Record Id p155/76/9
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 3pp
Topic Brown Brothers Letters
Geographic Philadelphia (city),Philadelphia (county),Pennsylvania,United States,Belfast,Antrim (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen tens
Genre Transcript
Note Transcript text by PRONI. Title and description by Professor Kerby Miller.
Creator / Author Name Samuel Brown