From Thomas Waters Jr. to his parents, Elizabeth Waters and Thomas Waters Sr. (March 7, 1849)

[Thomas Waters to his parents]

[from a transcript]           29

7 March 1849. New York

Dear Father and. Mother

The world has turned round six and twenty times since I was born, which I suppose you will say is no strange news, however it is my birthday and moreover we are in port after a stormy passage but without any sickness among our passengers; we had a very long passage, one storm lasted just thirty days right against us causing us to spring a bad leak and the loss of some of our sails etc, but we were more fortunate than one other ship that left the same port bound to the same port as ourselves, she lost her fore and main masts and was in great danger of sinking.  I received two letters from home, one from Ben and Mary, the other from Eliz etc and I am glad to find that you are all quite well. 

We left a dirty cook in Galway but we got one ten times worse – Irish- We are going to St John’s [Saint John] New Brunswick and from thence to Digby where you must direct for me, but you must write quick or else I shall be away.  The Californian Gold fever is raging in this city but I dont think I shall be likely to take it, thousands are quitting every day bound to the gold regions, after I get to Digby my voyage is up and I dont know from thence where I shall go, but I will continue in their vessels, we were forty nine days coming; my Capt is very sick at present and several of the crew are too.  It has been a very cold winter here although we had it mild at sea. 

I am sorry to hear that my little sisters are sick, I hope they will soon get well.  I am glad Eliz enjoyed her trip to the North and found Uncle and Aunt etc the same as I always found them, extremely kind.

Our passengers turned out considerable useful to us for they stuck to the pumps night and day, they were very ignorant and the men used to tell them if they did not pump that all the crew etc would take the boat and leave them to get to America the best way they could by themselves, so they used to pump to keep us on board.  I cant say that ever I knew rightly what filth and dirt was until I saw Irish passengers for they beat all that ever I came athwart of. Give my best respects to J.Harris and tell him to come to Nova Scotia for health, wealth, and happiness.  Remember me to Uncle and Aunt, Brother and Sister and to all etc etc etc

I am quite well and comfortable sitting before a warm fire in the cabin by myself, no pipe in my mouth for I have knocked off smoking for four months back, but fruit of all kinds on the table and plenty of wine or spirits at my call, temperance, not teetotalism is my motto, with plenty of exercise, fresh air and salt water, with love to all

        I remain

         Your affectionate son

        Thomas Waters

P.S. At sea

      I find this letter was not put in the Post Office,

therefore I will send it first opportunity

Digby

         All well