[Thomas Waters to his parents]
[from a transcript]
25
new York. September 1848
Dear Father and Mother
I received your letter (no.2) August 16th and it came just in the right time for I had been staying on board all alone with the exception of a darky cook for three days when I received your letter and welcome newspapers. It had been blowing a heavy gale and we had our best bower and sheet anchors down and the Captain was ashore looking out for a crew and could not get off until it came a shore lull and then he brought me the letter etc and I was gla-d to hear that you are, or were, quite well. To fill up (as Ben says in his last letter a long time since) I must give you a small incident which occured a short time since in making or mixing an apple duff, or pudding as you call it. While we were at anchor in Digby the Captain sent me off some early apples, but they were rather sour and so I told the cook to make an apple grunt as the Yankees call it; the directions I gave the cook was – to make it the same as a sea pie, only instead of meat and potatoes to fill it up with apples and sweeten and season it to taste. I had seen it made and eaten in an American ship and it was first rate. Accordingly with the expectation of a good mess I had a good appetite and at the usual dinner time the cook brought the mess in the cabin, I thought it smelled rather curious when it first came down and I assure you the taste did not deceive the smell, for the stupid darky had followed my directions to a T and made it like a sea pie all but meat and potatoes; he had seasoned it well with onions, pepper, salt and sugar; and although not gifted with a very weak stomach, still I did not make a hearty meal of it. I cannot recommend his recipe for apple grunt. I forgot to mention, a chew of tobacco and about half a pound of soap had fallen off the galley shelf into the mess and of course rendered an agreeable flavour. I am glad you have seen my Uncle once more in health and hope you may often and for a long time have the same pleasure. I have had to write this letter in a hurry for we are now loading as fast as possible with Indian corn for Cork, for orders to some port in Ireland, perhaps we may go to Liverpool to load for a return freight. You need not send any more papers or letters to Digby until I write to you again but you can direct one to Cork to the care of James P.Scott & co British Brig Pageant, Cove of Cork, Ireland. It must be sent in time for if it is not there before the vessel I shall not get it for we will not stay over a few hours. Hoping you are all quite well & with best respects to all
Your affectionate son Thomas Waters