R. WHITE LETTER,NEW YORK, NEW YORK Copyright (c) 2001 by Karen White (kindigo@earthlink.net). ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submittor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ************************************************************************ North Castle Nov 21st 1853 Dear Mother Brothers and Sister I received your letter a few days ago and was glad to hear from you all. I read it to Uncle Daniel and Aunt Rebecca and they were well pleased to hear from you. Uncle Daniel said that you had done wonderful well in making _______ pay for the place. And Aunt ________ smartest boy that she ever saw. This may tend to flatter you, but they think it is a very foolish notion for you to think of going to California as long as you are doing so well where you are. I hear but little or nothing in this part about California Except that it is one of the most degraded places upon Earth. My advice to you is that you had better stay where you are and be contented, for mind I tell you, if you should go, you will be sorry. You have never been much from home and you will find if you leave it and go there among Robbers and fiends of every Class, and should be take sick, depend you will see the Elephant in a different light from what you see him at home. I shall add no more. I give counsel but cannot give conduct. I must now give you something else. I have just got home from the City where I have been nearly three weeks. I went to see Aunt Hannah and Uncle Townsend. I found them well and glad to see me. They had numerous questions to ask me about you all. Aunt Hannah said she would like to see Mother again, and requested me when I wrote to tell her that I had been there to see her, and her her love to Mother. The Girls were not home through the day for they are sewing out from home. I did not stay there but two nights. They wanted me to stay longer, but I could not conveniently at that time. The Girls were very clever and want me to get my mineature [sic] taken over again as they thought the old one did not look much like me. Uncle Townsend owns one fourth of a _______ running from East 28th & 1st Avenue to _______ 32 st____ and have 280 head of horses. He says that in three years, he will either make a fortune or break up at it. New York is a great place to make money and also to spend it. I have got so that I can run about the city alone most anywhere. Cousin Daniel and I went to the Crystal Palace at his Expense, and also to many other places of interest and amusements, for he is very clever and kind to me. We have a great deal of sport, now I tell you. Well, should I tell you all that I have seen you would probably get tired of reading. The Palace is a splendid place filled with curiosities from different parts of the world. The fairs that they have out there has no comparison with this fair, for all you see there is a few little Bulls and ___ (all?) But in the Palace you see no live stock Except two legged men and women. But you see artificials of every description that imagination can picture. But New York is truly a fair at all times. Your Eyes are beholding something new all the time. Daniel took me together with his Expected wife to Stuyvison Institute on Broadway to see a man perform feats of Magic, Ventriloquism and the man had also a large number of canary birds which done some astonishing things. But to Top the Climax, when he came to perform his Ventriloquism, I never laughed more in so short a time in my live. It was truly amusing. I went also with Cousin Hester and Spencer to Barnum Museum. I there saw many natural curiosities. After looking at these for about an hour, the play commenced. This was surely nice. The title of the play was Uncle Tom's Cabin or life among the lowly. Well, friends, I must not keep you in York all the time. We will now tak a trip into the country by your leave. On last Sunday, we had a dreadful rain. I never saw it rain harder. It raised the waters very high and done a good deal of damage on the Harlem Rail Road, washing away several bridges so that the cars have done but little business the past week. Friends, I would like to take you to Colorburg but I cannot for I have not been there yet. Uncle Stephen Lounsbury [J, P, S, T, G ?] and his wife were here while I was at the city. They wanted to have taken me home with them. The folks up there are well. Aunt Sarah and Uncle James Brown were also here, but I missed them altogether. They wanted very much to see me. Doctor Woolsey and his wife were here and wanted to see me. There are a great many people who want to see me. I think I had better get a large curtain and have two shillings a sight. I would then make money. I hardly think I shall go to Colorburg this winter and I expect to commence teaching next week. Hanford says he wants me to teach four months. This will bring it April, will not friends. I begin to want to see you now. I shall be home sick by that time. Tell Brother Daniel when you see him again that I would like to have been home to have seen him. Tell him I send my love to him. Well, John you wanted me to write whether it was best to pay all off this winter or not. Well, all I have to say is this. If you have the money to spare pay it off, but mind there is a mortgage. See that it is attended to. You had better enquire about that a little. If you pay that hundred _____ what _____ a Receipt you take and it might cause some trouble. I would send you one but do not know just now how it should be drawn up. My opinion is, if you have more money than you have use for, you had better hire it out, and not pay it until it becomes due to avoid all trouble. However if the people think that it will make no difference, why do as you please. Well, my letter is drawing to a close. I have many other things to write you but must forbear for want of room. Uncle Daniel's folks are all well and all join in sending their love to you all. I am in Good health at present and hope this may find you enjoying the same. I would like very much to be home today as it is fine. We have very pleasant weather yet and it has been ever since I have been here. I have written several letters out there as perhaps you are aware ere this. I must wind up. Write to me soon again. if you see Nancy, give my love to her. I have written her a letter and one also to James and one to Jesse Wright. If you see him, tell him I directed it to Metamora. Tell Mother she would laugh to see her son strut up and down Broadway in New York C. I surely cut a dash and would like for you to have seen me. I send my love to you all and remain your Son and Brother, R White of New York City.