James Kennedy Letter
From James Kennedy at "Casseles" in Mentor, Ky. to his
cousin in Scotland 1819. This is a draft of his letter which he kept with
the letters from Scotland. It was found in an old book in the possession of a
cousin, Minnie Millikin.
Dear Cousin,
Your letter dated the 15th of August 1818 came to hand in December last. I am truly sorry that so many of our letters are lost. I had not heard of the death of Uncle Elesor-tragic.
I agree with you that by post is the surest and quickest mode of conveyance. I believe I have sent double the number of letters home than I have received from Scotland. Which letters together with copies of those sent, home are before me and I can find only three of yours among them. Myself and family will always be glad to see or hear from my friends, for the time can not be far distant when we must all depart to the Unknown Region from whence no traveler returns or give any certain information.
In July last, we lost Florella, our last married daughter, also of a breast complaint. Mrs. Kennedy and myself together with four sons and three daughters that remain, still enjoy a tollerable good state of health and happiness. Peace and plenty.
I shall now agreeable to your request, state a few facts necessary for those to know who wish to visit or remain in this country. The immense immigration from other parts of America and from Europe to this modern country proves that it is generally believed to be the best country on earth. Even poor people who can or will be industrious and careful, may soon lie happily and plentifully here. Good mechanics of almost any kind and farmers are much wanted here; and even a common hireling could do as much towards the support of a family in three days of the week, as they could do at home in six.
We have no Kings, Priests, or Haughty Nobility to support, only a free mild and cheap government, and such titles of honor only as proceed from self merit of office. Our soil is rich and luxurious, our climate healthy and agrees well with British constitutions. The people are kind and obliging and land maybe got upon tollerable good terms to rent or buy. But places of profit or honor are hard to be got. There are so many office hunters, strangers and so many British goods, since the late war among us. Every place is full and goods sell chiefly now on credit, and nearly as cheap here as they sell at home.
Good money is scarce and much bad paper money is among us. That which is current in one state, will not pass in another state. Gold, silver and United States Bank notes is the only safe money for travellers to carry here.
The things you mentioned would not be worth bringing or anything else that I know of except money and clothing sufficient. Our great distance from the sea makes carriage and travel expenses high. Our merchandise mostly comes up in steam boats from New Orleans, Cincinnati-twenty five miles below this place, and Pittsburg, 500 miles above us by water or 300 by land, are no parts of entry on the Ohio. Steams boats, one, tow, and three thousand tons burthen frequently pass here, and land has become very scarce on all our navigable rivers. We expect that a communication will soon be opened from sea to sea through our western country by way of the Lakes, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Should America remain united and free, she will soon give laws to the world.
Many large navigable rivers west of the Mississippi are settling fast. Three thousand miles west of us, yet remains chiefly uninhabited, which may in time become the Garden Spot of the world. Our resources are immense for war, peace of domestic happiness. No country by nature ever produced a greater variety of good things, and every man worships God according to the dictation of his own conscience.
That religion, or that government, which cannot stand without the aid of each other aught to full. But to be more particular concerning your son George Also Kennedy and others, I would not like to make any particular promises for fear of reflections or disappointments afterwards. This you may depend upon, that everything reasonable in my power shall be done for them. My home, their home, etc. until other ways are provided for and we will be happy to serve them.
My office as Sheriff only continues two years by law, and then the next eldest justice of the peace in this county takes my place and my son William will also be out of office unless continued by our next high sheriff. Never-the-less, I think there is no danger of not making a decent living here by their efforts, or perhaps in that way in which your son wishes to be employed for a few years, but the most certain and sure way of living here is to become farmers. To buy or rent land and get a wife among us for that is what reconciled me for this glorious country.
I have land to rent and could perhaps help them if they could come. they would then be free from that impending storm which must soon fall on your united kingdoms etc. Debt and heavy taxes, which cannot much longer be supported by the poor subjects of Great Britain. Baltimore is the nearest seaport to us here. Could they land there they would only have three hundred miles travel by land to Pittsburgh, where they might get a passage on the Ohio to this place for it is now navigable for small craft, but I understand that it is hard getting from Canada first, which would be much out of their way to come here.
A man with four or five thousand dollars cash here could soon make a fortune by buying and selling land on our frontiers. Land is now selling by Congress for two dollars per acre, which is a few years sells for twenty. My land on the Ohio, worth fifty per acre and extends about a mile and a half along the river.