by Wood, William
Quarto, two pages, plus stamp less address leaf, formerly folded, in very good clean and legible condition.
Wood comments on the slovenliness of New Yorkers:
"Dear Hurd,
Once more on our nations sod, and never, never (I believe) will I leave it again, we had only 43 days passage, rather pleasant, but for the whole time, I never had one regular e -----n, think now how horrid, I certainly drank a gallon of --- I can hardly mention it, Castor Oil but thanks to heaven, as soon as I had taken lodgings I can scarcely believe I am home, yet when I look into the street, I am too fatally convinced by the slovenly appearances of the Yankees, one with his dirty shirt, another blowing his nose almost into my pocket, Oh God! How such dirty habits can pertain to the inhabitants of the 2nd City of America is unaccountable. As you never travelled to the Southward, I suppose a description of this place would be acceptable, but as I have not been but in 1 street yet, I cannot gratify you, however you may take it for granted, London is full as regularly built and as handsome every way – I see the Boston vessels have arrived … I am waiting for a letter from home and shall then depart and then dignity, greatness, elegance can, must depart also for the menial offices of wriging C---ts, and of selling taps may remember me to every person who I care for with you to C. Horshall in particular also to the old dutchess Hartwell – I am thinking you must have about returned to Lpool to inhale smoke & damps for the winter I am enjoying one of the most lovely days our climate can produce … W --- W …"
Hurd and Wood (who had been born in England) were prominent Boston merchants active in the early Anglo-American trade. Wood later founded the Boston Apprentices Library. (Inventory #: 31224)
Wood comments on the slovenliness of New Yorkers:
"Dear Hurd,
Once more on our nations sod, and never, never (I believe) will I leave it again, we had only 43 days passage, rather pleasant, but for the whole time, I never had one regular e -----n, think now how horrid, I certainly drank a gallon of --- I can hardly mention it, Castor Oil but thanks to heaven, as soon as I had taken lodgings I can scarcely believe I am home, yet when I look into the street, I am too fatally convinced by the slovenly appearances of the Yankees, one with his dirty shirt, another blowing his nose almost into my pocket, Oh God! How such dirty habits can pertain to the inhabitants of the 2nd City of America is unaccountable. As you never travelled to the Southward, I suppose a description of this place would be acceptable, but as I have not been but in 1 street yet, I cannot gratify you, however you may take it for granted, London is full as regularly built and as handsome every way – I see the Boston vessels have arrived … I am waiting for a letter from home and shall then depart and then dignity, greatness, elegance can, must depart also for the menial offices of wriging C---ts, and of selling taps may remember me to every person who I care for with you to C. Horshall in particular also to the old dutchess Hartwell – I am thinking you must have about returned to Lpool to inhale smoke & damps for the winter I am enjoying one of the most lovely days our climate can produce … W --- W …"
Hurd and Wood (who had been born in England) were prominent Boston merchants active in the early Anglo-American trade. Wood later founded the Boston Apprentices Library. (Inventory #: 31224)
(215) 387-9808
