[Thomas Waters to his parents]
Addressed to Mrs or Capt Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich, Kent
and re-addressed to them at Surbiton Hill,Kingston on Thames,Surry
Liverpool July 17th
(postmark Kingston JY 20 1845)
Dear Father and Mother
I have just arrived here from New Orleans across the Atlantic after a forty seven day passage and I am quite well, hoping all of you are the same. I had to wait four weeks before I could get a chance to go to England I left a brig in New Orleans determined to go no other voyage but to England. The sickly season had just commenced its usual ravages when I left. I belong now to a large American ship the Metoka of New York Capt Mapbe, and intend trying to get my discharge if possible, if I succeed I shall see you soon. Write by return of post, I suppose Ben is at Chester St, if so I shall see him as soon as I can get liberty, so in case I should not be a board when your letter arrives a shipmate is going to receive it for me.
Direct
Thomas Waters or John P. Briggs
Ship Metoka of New York
Prince’s dock Liverpool
Write Uncles address I remain
Thomas Waters