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Disclaimer: The opinions on these pages are those of the writers
and don't necessarily reflect my own views. More...
Joseph Fawcett. P.M.
St. Charles
Missouri
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Philiada Novr 21st 1840
Dear Pa
This day, until about 2 oclock, ends our sojour, in the city of brotherly
love. The one too, that I have lately concluded, by comparing the
views I have, of it, during morning walks, with those I have seen, and
others, of which, I have read discriptions That, it is the finest and
neatest of all modern cities, and it is growing very rapidly; even at
such a rate, that, streets which I familliarly traversed, before going
upon our last voyage, now, for the knowledge of them, in their western
section, I have to depend, a goodeal upon the indexes at their intersection,
with each other. Although it has been but a little time; where,
I then saw vacant lots, covered with rubbish and stagnent pools; I now
see whole rows, of such spendid, buildings, as in point, of beauty, and
cheerfull appearance, are not to be found, any where else, in such numbers,
if at all as in Philadelphia. -----
About two o,clock we expect to set sail once more for salt water, and
should the wind, hold as it is, it wont be long before we reach it, after
we do we will shape our course for Port Auprince, there to dispose of
our cargo, consisting of provisions and lumber & take in one of logwood
and coffee, from thence we are bound to Leghorn, to dispose of it, and
from there we go to Messina for a homeward cargo of fruit, and in case
we are not able to procure one there, we will probably go to Malta, and
if we should not get one there, to Malaga. But I think it highly
probable that we will be able to load at the first port, at any rate if
we do not, our having to, go to several places, will not materially lengthen
our voyage, as the distance between them is not verry great. the
entire voyage will prob’y consume five months, which will keep us away
until about the first of next may. At the sametime there is great
uncertainty in these voyages, as it is impossible to tell to what unusual
detention a vessel may be subjected in the different places; often owing
to difficulty in getting a cargo of their respective productions; the
stock of which are great, or small, pretty much in proportion to the number
of vessels wanting such cargoes. Although five months is the usual
time; there is a vessel belongg here, that has been gone, on much the
same voyage that we going; eight months; and has not yet arrived; the
owner has several times heard from her, and I believe her long stay, is
owing to great detention; which I hope will not be our fortune, and if
we can get quick dispatch from the various places I think we will make
a short voyage of it; as our brig sailed before, verry well, but now she
will probably go faster; for she has been coppered; which will keep her
bottom clear, of barnacles and various matter that collects on the bottom
of vessels, whilst at sea, or in salt water; and thereby greatly impede
their passage through the water, -- Besides being copd they have
theroughly overhauled her, put a new foremast in her, new head spars altogether,
new bulwarks & new cabin on deck, alltogether everthing in better
condition than before. And with all the other new arrangements we
have a new captain & ins[tead – torn] of capt Wilkins going
with us this time, he takes the new brig Missahickon and capt Wm R. Brown
goes in the juniers.
For the want
of time I compelled to close here, asking of you to give to all the
love [torn] your affectionate son.
Curtis
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Source: Handwritten original
in the private collection of the Chambless family. Transcribed
to softcopy by Susan D. Chambless, 1998.
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