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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D3580/C/84 |
| Title | John Longsdon at Boston [United States of America] to his brother, James Longsdon junior |
| Date | 16 Oct 1809 |
| Description | Complaining that he has had no post.
He has visited New York [United States of America] which is in every respect congenial and lies in beautiful country. He is closing his concerns in Boston to return to New York. Business is so bad in Boston that no feeler can be made to get prime cost and charges. At New York things are better. On his first visit, he met Mr Ernest Morewood in his country house who showed him great kindness and took him to His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Col Barclay.
John describes New York and says the land within 3 to 6 miles of it is worth 6 times the value of his brother's though far inferior for cultivation. The value of land in American cities is as high as in Manchester or London, showing the increasing strength of the country. The yellow fever is over in New York and persists only in Brooklyn. Fevers are the greatest misfortune this country is subject to.
Shooting is confined to the woods and thickets which are generally marshy. He will go with Col Barclay's son to shoot on Long Island of which he gives a short description.
The existence of the Non-Intercourse Act prevents him shipping any goods to England which would fetch a good price. Extreme strictness at Customs Houses almost prevents the possibility of getting a vessel off. He would trick the Yankees by taking his departure with a cargo of naval stores or cotton but Customs will not take his bond without 2 or 3 others for 3 times the value of the vessel and cargo that she will not proceed directly or indirectly to any interdicted place. |
| Level | file |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Archive Creator | Longsdon family of Little Longstone |