February 13th 1832
Dear Brother
Your letter has been received
a few days hence the writing of mine last and
I have delayed answering yours until things should
come over to maturity, and till o could give you a
little sketch of my own affairs. Mr. Harvey the mate
left us about a week ago and I have since taken his
place. The reason of his leaving was because he had not
wages enough, he having $25.00 a month and the going wages
for mates $30.00 Capt West has not mentioned anything to
me about wages nor shall I to him at present.
Mr. Harvey was a man that loved his ease and would not
exert himself only when impossible to do otherwise.
He and I get along very well together and perhaps
it would been as well for me to have gone this voyage as 2nd mate,
but I am in hopes of getting along with not much trouble.
Capt West told me on our passage out to Charlestown that
the only reason why he was keeping Mr Harvey was
because he was waiting for me to learn so that I might take
his place. But he would have been glad for him to have
gone, the voyage. I have had plenty of business this last
week to attend to, having from 30 to 40 negroes to
work aboard stowing, cotton and this crew all to
look after and to keep to work, and at the same time
take an account of the cargo.
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February 15th, This last page I wrote a few days
ago with the intention of sending it immediately but had not time
to complete the letter. Yesterday we halued dawn the River
about 4 miles from town to finish loading being
water enough at Savannah to take in all our Cargo.
Since we came down the river Capt West has taken Mr.
Kingsburg one of the crew xxx for 2nd mate he belongs
to Old York and is a brother of Mrs. Crane of Portsmouth.
He is a very good seaman-he had been aboard a man of War
and has been sailing some time, under the English Flag.
He is a man of about twenty five years old and of good
habits but partakes of the stimulus but not so much
as to injure him in his business. Mr. Kingsburg will
be a great assistance to me. I having so little experience.
I have not much work to do but to give orders and look
after other folks. Capt. West is now up to town and gives
me charge of the ship. We have now twenty blacks
on board stowing the cotton, as it comes down in
the Lighters. We shall be probably ready for Sea in about
three days. We have a good crew and generally peaceable
and willing. There is three of them on board that were
before the Mast with me & get along with out any
noise or difficulty. I suppose Mother will be concerned
about my clothing, shirts, jackets, and trowsers & but
she may rest assured that I shall make out very well
until I reach Liverpool when I shall be ready
for the newest fashions. I am very sorry to hear
that you could not find Fathers [----?] but hope
you will. I gave it to Harry Rand at Headlys and he hung it up
in the Bar room and I am afraid someone stole it
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I am very glad to hear my friends are well
and hope they will continue so till my return. I have
enjoyed myself very well both in mind and body
since my departure from home. Some days here it is
as warm as it is at home any time in the month of
July and I suppose at home you are half frozen before
a good hot fire. We have had all kinds of fruit,
oranges, pie apples and all so al kinds of greens.
Potatoes are selling here for $2.50 a Barrel and
are very scarce at that.
I hope you have got a boy in your Store if you have
not you had better get one immediately and let
John if he intends to be a Physician go into an
Apothecaries Shop. It will be a great injury
to him to remain at home any longer.
I have not heard from Charles am
afraid I shall not until my arrival in England,
when I hope to hear from both of you.
Shall write home there, let me go where I will.
You write that Father hopes I shall soon be
relieved from the task of 2 mate, you tell
him that his hopes are to fondly received.
It was much beyond my expectations to rise to soon
in my profession, but I shall endeavor to hold
my own. I am as high as I wish until
I can get better informed. If anything should
happen to Capt West I do not know what I should do.
There is a Brig that will sail soon for Portsmouth
from this place and I shall if I have an opportunity send
a litter by then but this I shall send by mail. Your True Brother
Give my best wishes to all my friends at Rye and at Boss Head Wm Parsons