From Thomas Waters Jr. to his parents, Elizabeth Waters and Thomas Waters Sr. (October 9, 1869)

[Thomas Waters to his parents]

[from a transcript]

Wealth of Nations

Monte Video. 9 October 1869

Dear Father & Mother

I wrote to you from Rio Janeiro September 22nd.  We arrived here October 5th all well but as I have only been ashore a few hours I cant tell much about the look of the place yet for it rained nearly all the time.  Beef is cheap and bad, mutton cheap and plentiful, when the state of the roads will admit of the sheep being driven to Market, but since I have been here there has been no mutton, roads impassable, pork very bad and dear, fowls scarce and eggs ditto, potatoes poor at 3 1/2 pence per pound, other vegetables inferior and dear, oranges 2 pence each, other fruit in proportion.  The market folks say it is all owing to the swollen rivers and bad country roads.  My business in all countries brings me in contact with the lowest waterside classes, the genuine cut throats who prowl around the shores knowing the tide is a convenient and safe deposit for their victims, consequently I am familiar with their peculiar characteristics and I can safely say that Monte Video can claim villainous distinction.  Perhaps the dull wet murky weather and the filthy broken down landing places may give the rascals an extra shade of depravity.  I am seldom on shore in any country after dark especially in those countries inhabited by degenerated Spanish.  I have not received any letter from England either in Rio Janeiro or here and if you write to me after you receive this, direct to the care of Messrs Graham Rowe & Co. Lima, Peru. I have received two letters from Amy and she wants to know why Barbara and my sisters write so seldom to her, but I suppose it is because they have not the faculty of making news out of nothing.  Hoping my dear Father and Mother are well and best love to all at home

  I remain

 Your affectionate son

Thomas Waters