It's easy and satisfying to assume that in the past emigrants to British colonies started with
nothing and achieved success with very little aid. That was sometimes the case. But the letter transcribed
below illustrates the different story of someone drawing on financial resources managed back
home by his brother who is a “Writer”, the Scottish equivalent of a solicitor.
It also illustrates how important railways were in the nineteenth century and
provides an example of cross-border trade: James Don goes down to Detroit to
get the barrels he needs for his brewery in Goderich, a growing town to the west
of Toronto on the shores of Lake Huron.
Transcription
Addressed
to: Willian Don Esqr Writer Dundee
Scotland
Datelined:
Post Office Goderich 4th October 1845
Docketing
note: Recd 30 Oct 1845 with details of financial transaction 1 November 1845
Postmarked:
GODERICH U.C. OC 4 1845 endorsed PAID ; London transit mark OC 28 1845
My
Dear William
I
have been in receipt of yours of 28th July last for some time back
containing a statement of how affairs stood with me and my Trust Assignees
along with your own a/c [account] and as far as I am aware find everything
correct. I would have replied to it ere this, but was obliged to start for
Detroit by a vessel just then leaving the Harbour to procure my Copper and Beer
Barrells, along with some other Articles for the Brewery, which could not be
procured in Goderich.
I
am in hopes of being able to start the Brewery sometime about Christmas or New
Year, and as you have kindly hinted that I should endeavour to keep within my
means, I am happy to inform you, that I will be able to start all things being
Paid for, with something over £100 – which is considered a large sum of money
in this part of the World. I myself have no fear of making a good Living, if
not something to spare when once I start. I am now keeping Bachelors Hall at
the Brewery, having fitted up a Bedroom and Kitchen in the Place I can live a
great deal cheaper in this way, than paying for my Board in Town.
In
reference to the Amount still due to me from the Estate of the late Mr
Cockburn, I was asking the Mr Kydd the Postmaster advice as to the best means
of getting it out, when Mr McDonald the Banker came in, and upon shewing him
that part of your Letter, wherein you state, that you are now only awaiting my
instructions, as to the way I should like the Amt. £135.8.8 Strg to be
remitted, he said the business could be easily arranged, by drawing a Set [?]
of Exchange ten days after sight on you for the above Amt. and have accordingly
taken Credit in the Bank of Upper Canada here for the Sum of £135.8.8 Strg the
rate of Premium Mr McDonald could not at this time inform me, but he supposed
it would be about 9 ½ or 10 per Cent.
Goderich
has every chance now of becoming a place of some note, it is now finally
decided that Goderich is the only fitting place for the Railroad Terminal
connecting Lakes Ontario and Huron, when the work commences (which is supposed
will be sometime next Year) [there]is no doubt, but what it will cause an …
influx of Immigrants and others, to come [and] settle in, and about the Town
and… of Goderich, that otherwise, but for the railway, perhaps would not do so,
at all events property in and about the Town, on the strength of this Railway,
has risen considerably in value and I am free to confess that my Property is
now worth more than double what I gave for it, and I am well assured that the
party from whom I purchased, regrets having sold it so cheap.
Tender
my best Love to mother and all enquiring Friends and
Believe
Dear Wilie
Your
ever affectionate Brother James Don
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