Description James McDonald of West River Letter

 

 

"Port Madison, December 11th, 1869

 

Dear Brother,

 

Being that I haint anything to do at present but pen those few lines to you to let you know the times is getting pretty hard at present and aint much doing this winter all the Mills has shut down at might they most of them is rnning at light day and the have quit in the ship yard for two or three months. Gawley sent yp word to Mr. Meigs that he couldn't get money to pay the men and told Meigs he had better quit working for a while so Mr Meigs locked us out of work for a while until there would be some money in circulation and days grow longer for they are very short at present we got to work at seven o'clock and quit a 4 P.M. so he thinks its worse then the eight hour system he is down on the eight hour system he is very hostile against it.

But there is corn in Egypt yet forus poor soles there was a vessel got driven a shore on Van Covers Pland and got badly fractured and she is comming in here for to get repaired. The steamer here is getting repaired now we had her on the ways. and we repaired her she will start tomorrow or next day for the vessel and when ever she comes in here we will get work on her until she is finished its probably it will take from two to three months to repair her and by that time we will begin on the vessel again. Mr Meigs wants her launched in July if possible. So we will not loose much time after all the times are so poor. But I think the times will be pretty good first summer there is going to be a good many vessels built on Puget Sound first summer. But I tell you in big woding that the times are pretty dull this winter all over the OSund there is hundreds of men going idle and cannot get one days work. It costs something for a man to gow idle in this country espeically on Puget Sound. Every day we are idle it casts $1 per day for board and that is 365 dollars a year for bord but I think I can board one year now for I have over 365 dollars now. I have done very well since I came here but I spending $1 per day now for baord byt I will soon be with work again as soon as they get this Vessel where in a week or two I will be into it again. My health is splendid ever since I have been in this county let me know if you can get the money from John Brown for Sandy if not I will send it but if you can get it in any at all get it money on intrest here comes to me pretty fast - and if there is any good farms for sale round and under Value let me know perhaps I could purchase. Write immediately.

 

I still remain your corresponding brother

J.C. McDonald"

 

 

 On the back:

 

"Mr. James McDonald

West River, Pictou County

 

I hope you will not forget in an (surering?) this emeditaly. I am getting tired in writing , I cannot take time or any fairs (?) in writing it seems like a trouble for me to sit down and write a letter now. I cannot think of anything more (opnting?)

 

James"