Hutton, March 6, 1832.
My dear Friend,
I BELIEVE you are almost the only one to whom this peculiar and endearing
appellation is considered by me as truly belonging, who has not as yet
been made acquainted with my intended movements. Had it been at all
practicable, I should have taken you in my way, in my late lengthened
tour to Hull, Raithby, and London; but circumstances would not then admit
this, and I cannot now indulge the hope. A similar tour, about eight
years since, found you in Liverpool, and my residence in Shropshire; and
then I was permitted to enjoy with you a few hours. But much as my
spirit has always been refreshed with the pleasing and profitable
intercourse with yourself, a few hours lately would have been
particularly valued by me; for I know not whether such may ever again, in
this world, be afforded me; my late tour having been a leave-taking visit
previous to my finally leaving this country for Ohio.
I know not what your views may be on the subject of emigration, for I do
not recollect to have touched upon it in any of our conversations. My
own mind, however, has, for many years past, been directed towards it,
and I have only been waiting for the most eligible opportunity of putting
my plans into execution. My three sons go with me in the first instance,
and in a few months after, my dear wife and three daughters. Our mutual
friend, the Rev. Josiah Pratt, has written to Bishops Chase and
McIlvaine, about ministerial employment, and I expect to hear from them
soon. But, I understand, there is a great want of Episcopalian ministers
throughout the United States; they are, therefore, gladly welcomed, and
handsomely supported, so that I have no grounds to fear in this respect.
The climate also of the State, to which I am intending to proceed, is
considered as very fine and healthy, and living is little more than one
half of what it is even in country places here. In addition to these
advantages, I hope, with God’s blessing, to find remunerating employment,
and suitable settlement for my children—a matter which has been long
perplexing me, and of which there is certainly no prospect in this
country. I had intended at first to have made an extensive purchase of
uncultivated land, which, in the inland States, is selling for two or
three dollars an acre; but this plan I have relinquished; for my
ministerial avocations, and the settlement of my children, together with
the enjoyment of suitable society, were hardly compatible with a
situation surrounded by uncultivated districts. I am thinking of sailing
from Liverpool, in preference to Bristol, as I hear that the
accommodations are much superior, and the time of sailing more certain.
Do you know any friend there to whom you could obligingly write yourself,
or recommend to me to apply to, who would be so good as, first to make
enquiries about the packets, and _finally bargain_ for me? I wish to
sail as soon as I can after Easter-day, April 22; and I want five cabin
places, for myself, three sons, and a pupil, or protegé. During your
residence in the vicinity of Liverpool you may, probably, have become
acquainted with some persons now resident in America, to whom an
introduction might prove to me of considerable service. It is, indeed,
held forth as the land of liberty, prosperity, and religion; but there is
no place in which we shall not find the need of friends; and, especially,
will they be valuable in a strange land. If, then, you could obligingly
help me in this matter, I should feel much indebted to you. I am
particularly desirous of getting my books exempted from duty, if I
possibly could. I have diminished these, with many a shrinking feeling,
to about one-third of their number; but, even now, there are four hundred
weight, and the duty is one shilling and three pence per pound, on
_bound_ volumes, the chief of which mine are. Books are, in fact, my
implements of trade; almost all of them either ministerial or scholastic;
and as the common artisan is permitted to take his tools, why should not
the minister and tutor his? Perhaps, the justness of this would be
allowed on our arrival at New York, if I could be put in the way of
obtaining it.
Strange and startling, perhaps, as my projected movements may seem to you
on their announcement, I shall not venture to ask you whether revolving
months or years may induce my Madeley successor to follow my steps.
Unprepared, however, as he may be, at present, for such a scheme, even in
imagination, it would be no matter of surprise to me, should he, ere
long, be as fully persuaded as myself of its expediency. Beneficed
clergymen, who have charges they cannot without much cost, either of
feeling, or temporal sacrifice, detach themselves from, may see it their
bounden duty to remain; those, also, who have connexions which may help
to settle their children in after life, or those who have only one or two
children to provide for—these may still linger in their once prosperous,
and ever endeared country; but the unbeneficed—unpatronized heads of
large families must, I fear, sooner or later decamp. “Our hive” (as our
mutual friend Mr. Pratt, observed to me) “is too full, and we must lead
out our respective swarms.” But may the God of providence and grace ever
guide us, and, wherever we either go or remain, may He both “bless us,
and make us a blessing.” Our very kindest love attends yourself, dear
Mrs. C., and your family, and I remain,
My dear Friend,
Yours, ever sincerely,
GEORGE MORTIMER.