Philadelphia June 22 '54
Dear Sam-
I was somewhat surprised to receive your
letter this afternoon - I was allowing you 40 to
45 days to get to Quebec.
John had a poor passage and deserves much credit
for bringing the passengers over and healthy -
especially as nearly all other ships coming this
way have much sickness -
The 'chavis' arrived on the 5th after 27
days passage - they had sickness on board but only
one death - there were 317 passengers - Dan McKay
and the Captain didnt 'gel' very well together, the
Captain complained that he was so much of a
gentleman on board, that he wore his [front?] coat
all the time and never pulled a rope himself but
always called someone to do it for him - and other
stuff besides that - the Captain is rather a queer
customer and I think Dan was right - he leaves the
ship as soon as the cargo is out - Capt [name]
spoke very highly of him, said he never had a
better mate in his life -
[?] has got a new ship which has been
bought by his friends - She is called the 'Fanny
McKenry' after George's wife and cost $80.000 -
She was built in Boston and is now on the way from
there to New Orleans - We expect he will mark a
good freight from there to Liverpool altho' the
rates have gone down from 15/16 1hs to 3/4 d since
he sailed - Hell 3/4d is a good rate and he may get
a penny -
I suppose the 'Ben Nevis' will be arrived in Quebec
by this, I believe it left New York about the 12th -
Capt Rowland came home on the steamer he has not
yet got another ship but hopes he got the [------?]
next voyage - and if Copes say they
will give her to him, he will wait on shore for her
- Bob Dean goes this voyage on her but next voyage
he is going to Capt the 'Westmorelands' - his
brother Peter going to retire from the sea Bobs
father-in-law is going to buy him an interest in
the 'W'
The Shackamason left here on the 3rd but didnt get
to sea until the 7th - so if you hurry back to
L'pool you will stand your chance with her if she
is sold - If I dont get the price for her he will
certainly sell
