Thomas Waters Jr. to his Uncle and Aunt Butterworth (December 1, 1848)

[Thomas Waters to an Uncle and Aunt Butterworth in Rochdale.]

[from a transcript]

     27

1st December 1848. Galway Harbour

Dear Uncle and Aunt

Hoping you will excuse my long silence which has been occasioned by want of news, which even at present is very scarce with me, although I am now leaning over three newspapers.  We had an unpleasant passage across the Atlantic but of course we could not expect otherwise this time of the year and since our arrival here it has been blowing gales all the time, several vessels have been and are now detained since the time of our arrival and by all appearances it will continue so for some time longer.  We have discharged all our grain and the storm which is now raging makes us heel over considerably, we have only a few staves to discharge and tomorrow we will be entirely discharged, then we are going to rig up berths for passengers, we are already advertised for the flourishing City of New York, to sail on the 12th Dec. but I dont think we will sail before the 14th or 15th weather permitting.  I have made up my mind as soon as we get to sea to lock my clothes up in my chest all but two changes and then take the consequences of a passenger ship, “scratching times”.  There is a tremendous lot of beggars knocking about here, they bother me from morning to night and keep my pockets clear of coppers, they are very plentiful with their blessings and sometimes with their cursings, this morning one of them because I refused her wished me a stormy night and a lee shore with a bl–t you at the end.  We are liked generally speaking better than the English, Irish or other vessels as the Irish call us Americans or as I heard a man explain to another one on the quay, we were English Yankees born at America in New York and only carried British colors just for politeness sake.  I must now conclude sincerely hoping that all my kind relations in Rochdale are quite well.

I remain

 Your affectionate nephew

      Thomas Waters

Tell Mary if you please that I expect a return letter for the one I sent her on leaving the Cove of Cork.