Andrew Richey, Clinton, Mississippi, to his parents, Ireland, September 1837.
Clinton State of Mississippi Sep 1837
Dear Father and Mother
A much longer time has elapsed Since my last writing you
my melancholy letter, than I had intended, partly oweing to the quickness of fleeting
time, but more to the absorbing interest of business which is large & weighty & has now
fallen on my single hande alas! how I every day miss the kind feelings of a Brother,
his advice, & assistance but time & the turmoil of life, of necessity renders the feelings
less accute which I believe is the case with almost all & I find it mine also -- I recv a
welcome letter from Brother Rob only a few months since dated Ap' 12th & also one
from Sister Eliza Phenix of 9th Ap'
Dear Mother I recvd the account of your severe & long sickness Brother Rob gave me
with feelings of deep sorrow as old age has now rendered you infirm & weak which a
long sickness must make very distressing but I hope you have long ere this recovered
your usual health & strength & will yet spend the remnant of your days in health &
happiness; Dear Father I hope you continue to enjoy your usual health & cheerfullness
I know you must feel the weight of years & infirmity though I hope you are free from
rheumatic pains that formerly troubled you. how I long t see the change that time has
made on all your faces since I left you, indeed while I write I fancy myself by your fire
side with all the endearments of home & the recollections of my early days around me!
indeed I should like to see eevery tree & bush & shrub I could recollect them all & do
now as fresh as yesterday. We have had a most alarming failure amongst some of the
Andrew Richey, Clinton, Mississippi, to his parents, Ireland, September 1837
Description
Andrew Richey writes to his parents expressing the sadness of missing his brother and with the heaviness of business falling on him alone. He relates that the panic of the recent widespread banking failure has passed but most banks are "suspended" with some failed. Many in the "Commerce & the Mercantile Community" have been "prostrated" by the failures, caused overall by "over speculation". James's own merchant business carries on, even though in the worst of times. He is glad "Brother & Sister Cordner "did not come out to America yet with reports of 'passengers arriving to New York and Philadelphia without number".
