Name/Title
March 1840 Letter from James Walsh to sister JuliaEntry/Object ID
000706Tags
James WalshDescription
Montgomery 9th March 1846
Dear Sister
Your favor of 22nd came to hand a few days since and I have noted the contents. Ever anxious to receive letters from you and from home, I know it is useless for me to say that I was gratified upon receiving it. I answer it without delay and may I request of you that you will write to me more frequently and if you cannot find anything interesting to write about, you can easily make something—
One throws the whole laying in “Out of sight out of mind” it is not so with me, for although necessity and circumstances beyond control has caused me to be away from home for a number of years, still all its happy and endearing associations, are in my memory as bright and strong as they could have been under different circumstances and if my life is spared I shall probably after a while, be able to visit you all annually at least—Times must grow better—and I am confident when they do, I shall by persevering in my matters, be at least above the frowns of the world and what then but the sweet benign fondness in affectionate and pressing circumstances—I throw my efforts all hope to one point, which is to make money – and if I do not succeed others need not try – however making money is rather uncertain these days, and I shall trouble you no more on that point.
You say you want me to tell you something of myself – As far as health is concerned I have no reason whatever to complain. I was very sick in October last, with congestion fever – all I wanted was medicine. I took it, and soon got strong and easy, and at this time I am perfectly healthy and well – I weigh 150 lbs and am five ft. six inches high, and I suppose look about as well as ever did – As regards to my trip, I took the horse to-night this day, the same as Augustus, my height – We do not live a mile anymore do in Newburg. Still we get plenty of Bacon & Corn bread and our new and there something a little better – I apprehend no danger from this climate, and believe I can live here with safety for years to come –
Brother Thomas arrived here about ten days ago in good health. I was somewhat somewhat to see him, but I reckon he can do as well here as he can anywhere – I was opposed to his going North last summer – but as you say – he is too precious and I had no fears until he was safe. I told him to wait another year and we would…
go in business together – but he said he would go, & he went, and spent his money & is now back & when he gets my more money out of me to spend away traipsing about the country he will turn it – I have often put myself to much inconvenience on account of my brothers & to be repaid – but I can do so no more – Thomas can do well enough here & if he wishes a living, he has got to work, The fact this is an uninviting & unprofitable subject to speak of – So let it go for the present – I paid 50$ for him as soon as he arrived here – it is the last he gets – for he tells me that I can collect only old matters & learn to play my own honest debts – like most other persons in this section of the world I have trouble enough & I must still close the hands on these gates – Now I know this little will not be of much interest to you, nor you must excuse me for finding no better topic to write you on than my troubles – How should you like it if I should get married here & get so or so [100?] Negro. – The ladies say I am likely and if I can’t make money any other way I have an idea of trying that speculation –
Send my love to all – tell Martha & George & you
write – I will pay postage willingly – Yours –
James Walsh
[Written vertically along the left margin:]
no trouble – write to father and tell father
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James Walsh
