| Citation |
AWM.738.031
5-12 Oct 1738:11, 12, 21 (980)
Letter from John Ray of New-York, to Peter Ennis of
Colraine, in Ireland Pedlar.
New-York, Decem. 16, 1737. Dear comrade, and loving brother
in adversity . . . [long letter in Scottish dialect,
instructions of what to bring on Ennis' emigration to New-
York. Describes clothing, and social conditions. Also list
of things to buy for resale in New-York, including the
following:] Fail not to buy the new History of Scotland,
dedicated to the countess of Granard; it will cost 2s.2d.
and see it be no mix'd wee errors but a true copy. Buy six
quire of ballads, aw ald yens, as the Babs in the Wood,
Chevy Chase, but see the last lines be, The English fleed.
The Blackmoor. Montross's Lines, Oft have I vow'd to
Loove, nor dar Loove, Regard my Grief. Mineful Melpomeny,
Young Filander, Macaferson, and sundry other ald songs;
sax confessions of faith, at 7 d. per piece, ballads at 6 d.
a quire, ald loove songs and others, as ye think fit, no
Question books, for they will no sell here. Buy sax psalm
books, at 5s. or 4s 6d. the dizen, wee cleen print Twa
dizen of Fortune Books, and twa dizen of Story books. or sma
histories; ye will get the little books at Mrs. Lawrence,
near the ald Brigg. . . [8 lines, cloth and needles] Mrs.
McMullen at Newgate will sort ye for these things honestly
and tak 12 d. a pound profit. Ye must enquire in Dublin of
a printer that will sell the ballads at 6d. the quire, for
Mrs. Laurence will not sell them se cheap. Buy a fine
quilted night-cap for me, ye will get it for 18 d. ye may
twa ordinary, but not the coursest at 5d.6p a piece. Ye may
buy mere horn kembs, if ye please, for they sell well here,
being much wanted. Buy half a piece of Scotch cambrick, yer
wife may use it gin she pleeses, but it can be made for her
better here: Do the best ye can, get a heed to the barrel,
wee a lock or else bring a chest, the goods in a box wee a
hanging lock and steple, and cord ir weel, and when a month
at see, tak the box on deck and air the goods now and then.
I believe ye may want a little pot at see to cook for yer
sells, and also take something till ease yer sels in and tak
care of yer sels when upon deck, to obey nature.
And now the Lord direct, guide, & preserve ye aw, and give
u[s] a joyfoo meeting, vale. Yours ance mere, John Ray.
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