James Richey, Trenton, Kentucky, to his parents, Ireland, 13 August 1819.
Trenton State of Kentuckey aug 13th 1819
Dear Father & Mother
I recvd your letter along with one from A. Richey and likewise yr last which you sent by
B. Workman I am very glad the[y] all agree that you all are well. B. Workman Sent
me a fiew lines along with yr letter and informs me he has settled in Montreall in the
British Settlements
he has got into an Academy as an assistant
he says he gets 60 £
for the first year & 70 £ for the second and found in Board washing & lodging. I have
wrote a fiew lines to him rather advising him to quit the King's Dominions altogether for
I am sure he might be tired of them long agoe, but much as I despise them I would be
very glad my brother Wm. could get over into them. it would not cost much one good
suit of cloaths would be enough for to have after landing and as sure as the omnipotent
powers would pilot him safe into harbour SO sure would his bread be baked. you need to
have no bad apprehensions of Danger in Crossing the ocean it is quite large & may
apear a little terryfying to those who are not accostomed to water but for my part I would
as soon cross the ocean as to cross a river in a ferry Boat. but my sincere prayer is that
Wm. could only get into British Settlements he might stop there awhile to recruit his
purse and then proceed on into the U. States. Wm. would have a much better chance than
I had on landing in a strange place without money. his calling is a profession that is
wantg every day I dont know what a Classical teacher gets in the British Settlements
by the year, but I know here an English teacher is worth 80 £ a yr and a classical Teacher
James Richey, Trenton, Kentucky, to his parents, Ireland, 13 August 1819
Description
James Richey relates to his parents of news of mutual acquaintance in the Montreal, but James wants him to quit the "British Settlements" which he despises and come to America. Richey wants his brother William to make the journey to the United States as he knows that 'an English teacher here is worth £80 a year and a classical Teacher about Twice the sume if he is approvd. of". He also asks his father to consider emigrating there also with his family and 'enjoy the privilages of a free people [...] fradulently taken from us by force and arms'. Richey advises him of the benefits of America for farming considering that "the longer you stay where you are the worse" and that single people who can afford the passage should not be afraid of travelling with 'not more than a Dollar [...] as a fellow will put his hand to anything he can get work if he will do it". Richey gives news of 'some of his adventures" after he landed in Philadelphia, finding work with a merchant Mr Broaddus, who treated him as a brother, "I went up to him with my hat in his hand as humble as any Irishman [...] put on yr hat said he. we are all a free people here". Richey noted that "There are but few Methodists in this part of the country" so he instead went to a "Presbeterian meeting house" and hoped that this letter would be used as a means of encouraging his acquaintances to emigrate. He concludes by again recommending his family leave Ireland noting that two families could travel together nearly as cheap as one.
