John B. Hamilton, Augusta, Georgia, to (James Stavely, Ballymoney, County Antrim?) 17 December 1859
Description
Another Bones/ Stavely relative, recently arrived after a transatlantic voyage by steamship of only 10.5 days. Remarks that it took his "uncle Bones" 72 days to cross the Atlantic. Hamilton gives a critical description of New York City, especially Broadway, but he is very impressed by the magnitude and splendor of the great department store owned by Ulster immigrant, A. T. Stewart. Describes the prosperity, urban configuration, and streets of Augusta, Georgia. Reports that John Brown's recent raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia, has intensified sectional conflict between North and South.