Curtis Fawcett - 1840-11-21

Joseph Fawcett. P.M.                     St. Charles                            Missouri

Philiad^a Nov^r 21^st 1840

Dear Pa

        This day, until about 2 oclock, ends our sojour, in the city of brotherly love. The one too, that I have lately concluded, by comparing the views I have, of it, during morning walks, with those I have seen, and others, of which, I have read discriptions That, it is the finest and neatest of all modern cities, and it is growing very rapidly; even at such a rate, that, streets which I familliarly traversed, before going upon our last voyage, now, for the knowledge of them, in their western section, I have to depend, a goodeal upon the indexes at their intersection, with each other. Although it has been but a little time; where, I then saw vacant lots, covered with rubbish and stagnent pools; I now see whole rows, of such spendid, buildings, as in point, of beauty, and cheerfull appearance, are not to be found, any where else, in such numbers, if at all as in Philadelphia. -----
        About two o,clock we expect to set sail once more for salt water, and should the wind, hold as it is, it wont be long before we reach it, after we do we will shape our course for Port Auprince, there to dispose of our cargo, consisting of provisions and lumber & take in one of logwood and coffee, from thence we are bound to Leghorn, to dispose of it, and from there we go to Messina for a homeward cargo of fruit, and in case we are not able to procure one there, we will probably go to Malta, and if we should not get one there, to Malaga. But I think it highly probable that we will be able to load at the first port, at any rate if we do not, our having to, go to several places, will not materially lengthen our voyage, as the distance between them is not verry great. the entire voyage will prob’y consume five months, which will keep us away until about the first of next may. At the sametime there is great uncertainty in these voyages, as it is impossible to tell to what unusual detention a vessel may be subjected in the different places; often owing to difficulty in getting a cargo of their respective productions; the stock of which are great, or small, pretty much in proportion to the number of vessels wanting such cargoes. Although five months is the usual time; there is a vessel belong^g here, that has been gone, on much the same voyage that we going; eight months; and has not yet arrived; the owner has several times heard from her, and I believe her long stay, is owing to great detention; which I hope will not be our fortune, and if we can get quick dispatch from the various places I think we will make a short voyage of it; as our brig sailed before, verry well, but now she will probably go faster; for she has been coppered; which will keep her bottom clear, of barnacles and various matter that collects on the bottom of vessels, whilst at sea, or in salt water; and thereby greatly impede their passage through the water, -- Besides being cop^d they have theroughly overhauled her, put a new foremast in her, new head spars altogether, new bulwarks & new cabin on deck, alltogether everthing in better condition than before. And with all the other new arrangements we have a new captain & ins[tead – torn] of capt Wilkins going with us this time, he takes the new brig Missahickon and capt Wm R. Brown goes in the juniers.

For the want of time I compelled to close here, asking of you to give to all the love [torn] your affectionate son.

Curtis