From Thomas Waters Jr. to his parents Thomas and Elizabeth Waters (July 5, 1844)

[Thomas Waters to his parents, Captain Thomas & Mrs Waters]

addressed to Captain or Mrs Waters, Royal Marines, King St,

Pr.Steamer via Boston Woolwich, Kent, England

Nantucket Mass. United States of N America

    July 5th (1844)

Dear Father and Mother

It is now nearly five years since I have had the pleasure of hearing from you though it is not any fault of my friends but my own as I have not remained long enough at any place to receive a letter, but I have at last reached N America where if possible I mean to remain a short period on the coast until I receive a letter from you.

I arrived at this port a few days since in a fine but leaky ship named the Enterprise of Nantucket commanded by Captain Cannon, an old and experienced South sea Captain who has used me extremely kind. in fact all the Nantucket Captains and officers with whom I have sailed have used me well though in general they bear the worst name for ill usage of any Captains in the United States.

There is a chance offered me by a gentleman here I can get to Boston on board a beautiful and fast sailing but lightly built craft carrying twelve guns bound to China to smuggle opium, but I think I will not go as the voyage will last several years, they say five or six, and I wish to see home as soon as possible without I hear from you a different wish.  I have given up whaling altogether as it is too uncertain for in twelve months hard work, dirty and dangerous, living among outcasts of every nation and liable to ill usage without redress “though fortunately I have been used well” I have received about twenty dollars which I have paid for boarding and clothing which are dear this side of the water.  No other ships but whalers belong to this port or island. there are small sloops which run to New York and Boston charge five dollars passage but I was not paid off till I had been one week ashore and all I received was 5$.50c equal to about £1.5s, out of which I had to pay 3$ for board per week. there is an understanding between the ship owners and boarding Masters, one gets the money and the other gets the man. you cannot get off the island without cash and they cannot fit their whale-ships with-out men and as whaling is a poor business to all but the owners and masters it is a hard matter to get men without force or deception, both of which are used common here. though the Americans boast of better laws and government than Old England, they certainly have plenty of law and cheap but little justice.  If possible I mean to get off but I am afraid I cannot as I have no money and am a trifle in debt having been three weeks on the island.  In a short time I expect to be forced on a 4 year voyage without I get off the island soon.

I like the sea and if I could get in a merchantman would be happy.

I have been offered a boatsteerer’s berth by several Captains but I do not like to lead a life of uncertainty and speculation among vagabond and thieves.

My last Captain says I have satisfied him and has given me a good name, he has written to you in one of my letters stating his opinion of me, but the letter I hear has miscarried through the fault of the man I gave it to, to put in the post office in New York.  I ship’d in the Enterprise at Talcauana a port on the Spanish Main “before which I had been in a Chilian barque where I unfortunately got my leg hurt so badly that I could not work and was therefore sent adrift ashore to cure it and live how I could. an old Indian woman undertook to cure it, she said the bone was broke and put me to great pain but however my leg is well now though it pains me sometimes” where I received one ounce of gold in advance to pay my debts, we were three months on our passage.  Excuse the bad writing as I had to beg the paper, borrow pen and ink, a chair for a desk or table and my bag for a seat, the only table in the room is engaged by some whalers gambling and drinking.  I hope My Dear Parents that you are quite well, likewise my brothers and sisters. little sister Nancy I suppose can walk and talk by this time.  I hope to see and kiss her soon perhaps. Write to me quick as four years absence has made me impatient to hear or see you.  Mary will write to me at any rate,  direct to Geo Cannon late Captain of Ship Enterprise Nantucket, pearl St. or to Alex Bunker’s boarding house Nantucket post paid. Remember me to all friends

I remain Your affectionate son Thomas Waters

I cannot seal this I have no wax or money to get it with.

enclosed is my character from Capt Cannon which I send you for satisfaction.

return a letter quick or I shall be gone and then you will not hear or see me for a long time – quick