William Drennan, Newry, To Mrs Matty McTier, Belfast.
... But I have always avoided entering upon any subject which cou'd [could?] hurt you & do me no good - that my situation is grown more and more irksome & mortifying cannot be thought odd - if I am supposed to be possessed of any feeling - some imaginary good has danced before me and cheated me out of sorrow, and into to hope for years - there is not one now that can do so - but ( the last I once thought I could bear) going to America - & this I wou'd [would?] most fondly cherish if I could get Sam to set about it with spirit -- I have got him to propose it to DM: & I do not think he is against it he also told him he shd. [should?] not want money if he chose to risque [risk?] it in that way & that he did suppose the voyage wou'd [would?] be good for me - tho' [though?] he could not answer for the Climate but as my plan wu'd [would?] be such as either to stay or not as we found health and interest admit, that point wou'd [would?] be of no consequence - I began to mention it to my Mother & Nancy but was answered with anger & contempt, suppposing it to be all a finesse to cheat them out of their purpose of sending me to Bristol - Sam was to accompany me there at the expense of at least a hund: [hundred?] pd: [pound?] consider this -- put yr:self [yourself?] for a moment in my situation & sure you will not wonder that (for the present at least) I have stood out against this attack, made thro' [through?] affection & ending in wrath particularly against Sam who is most unjustly considered as hindering me -- & as not having spirit to leave Belfast for any purpose -- he is treated accordingly by Nancy - in [case?] the goat's whey might satisfy them I mentioned it to Dr Haliday who approved of it so did Mr: & if matters are nor fixed for America I must go some place & may as well try it - Rainey M: upon hearing this said Newry now attracted me - for that Ross Trevor [Rostrevor?] was the place for whey - I have heard much of it inquire [enquire?] what sort of lodgings are there the plan, price, what you get etc - be very particular - I wou'd [would?] not wish to be very near you for I cannot do you credit - but in reach of a morning's ride -- I could not avoid disobeying yr: [your?] last injunction - tho' [though?] I meant to be agreeable & tell you how you are puffed of here - we hear of you as one most acceptable & generally admired & esteemed in Newry - & old Dame Pottinger says she supposes you make at the rate of [6?]oo a year - her son spoke much in your praise -- Black called here but neither W: Jones Mr Pollock did us that favor [favour?] - the latter I saw this moment pass with Miss Greg - he stopped at the door going to C.fergus [Carrickfergus?] - as Nancy was at it & she offered him a bed but he refused it ....Close