Joseph Garrett 1864
Letter in the PPP. (4 pages)
Dated October 25th 1864.
To: Denis Pack-Beresford, Fenagh House,
Carlow, from Joseph Garrett, Norwood County, Peterborough,
Canada West, North America.
Sir,
I once more write you, I have laid before
you the foundation on which I rest my claim. I have
repeatedly asked from you that through what means I might
purchase a house over here and return you the principle
together with interest, a house which I have been unjustly
deprived of.
I can give you good substantial proof to
my character both here and in Ireland.
I have referred you to S.K. Garrett,
Janeville, c/o Fenagh Post Office, Carlow.
There are several people going from down
here to California, they are not there long when they have
plenty of money to defray the expenses of their whole family
and also plenty of money to pay all their debts. I have been
told from good authority that girls gets from 20 to 35
dollars per month there and I have no less than 5 girls in
my family. I know also from the same authority that if I was
only over there it would be my own fault if I did not have a
house in a very short time.
Now Sir, £50 pounds would bring me and my
family to California and I will promise and you may depend
on my word as certain as there is a Divine Providence over
us that I will return that promise of paying you back that
£50 with 10% interest.
And if you do not send me that £50 nor
answer this letter all I can say is this .......That the
same measurement you measure out to me will be returned to
yourself ....you would not miss the £50 no more than I would
miss a half-penny.
I want to be put in a condition of
getting a house in place of the house I have been unjustly
deprived of by Lord Beresford, you are now in possession of
his Estates and when Lord Beresford did not give me the
means of getting a house you have a just right to do
whatever .....however if you do not send me the £50 you may
be before long be in the same condition as Lord Beresford is
now (dead).
I want the means for me and my son to go
to California, if you do not answer this letter I will not
say any more.......Mercy to those who show Mercy ......and
to those who is willing to give means in a just cause to get
a house.
Send me £50 and mark my words, you will
never rue it …do not send it to me and you may rue it when
perhaps it is too late and when you cannot help yourself,
(signed) Joseph Garrett.
N.B. I thank Divine Providence I can
support my family by honest industry, I candidly confess I
cannot get a house. Write to S.K. Garrett, Janeville, Fenagh
to know if my family was not turned out of their house by
Lord Beresford.
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