MacKay_Letter_127
Item
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Title
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MacKay_Letter_127
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Description
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Letter from Joslyn Hutchinson to his brother in law John McKay Jr. Hutchinson was married to Jennet McKay. John Jr. and Jennet were the children of John McKay Sr. Sent from London, Joslyn explains he has been very ill so has not made his way back to the United States yet but that he is feeling better so should travel soon. March 20th 1856.
Transcription:
[page 1]
London, March 20th 1856
Dear John,
Several weeks ago I entertained the hope that I should re-cross the Atlantic long before this, but my intentions were again thwarted by sickness. About the time I had designated for starting I was again attacked with fever and at one period I was low that I was upon the very brink of the grave. I am now recovering however, but my improvement is necessarily slow. I am very much emancipated, my strength seems quite gone, for I am as weak as an infant, and the least exertion wearies and exhausts me. But thank fortune all the more dangerous and threatening symptoms have passed away, and time patience and care will gradually work a change for the better. It is now my intention to set out on my return as soon as I am able to bear the journey by rail-road from here to the port of Liverpool where I would take the steamer. It is now my hope that I may acquire the requisite strength within ten or fourteen days. George will probably meet me here and accompany me so I shall have one with me upon whom I can rely in case I should
[page 2]
have a relapse during the voyage. My constitution has been so shattered by my sickness during the winter that it would no doubt be extremely hazardous, and an act of most reckless folly for me to attempt to return to California immediately after landing at New York, as I had contemplated. I would necessarily have to pass some time within the tropics, and such an exposure in my enfeebled state would probably be attended with fatal consequences. I have therefore concluded to stop a for a few weeks at and about my old home in order to recruit my health before I venture to go on. So you may look for me again in Caledonia, but I fear that I shall be so thin that you will scarcely know me. I write you at this time lest you might entertain some serious apprehensions on account of my long silence. I am compelled to be brief - I trust that within a fortnight or three weeks after this reaches you I shall have the satisfaction of greeting you in person. Give my love to all the family and remember me to Judge Smith
[page 3]
and other friends. Rest assured John I remain as ever
Yours affectionately
[signed] Joslyn Hutchinson
Capt. John Mackay
Caledonia
Livingston County
N.Y.
P.S. I enclose this in a note & am about to send to a friend in New York City, so you need not be surprised to see it post-marked New York J. H.
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Identifier
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MacKay_Letter_127.1-2.jpg
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Creator
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Kristen Walker
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Subject
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Letter
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Publisher
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Izzy Moyer; Kristen Walker; Jill Johnson; and Renee Guerin
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Date
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1856.03.20
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Date Created
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2023.10.30
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Type
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Correspondance
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Letter
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Format
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.jpg
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Medium
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Paper
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Rights Holder
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Genesee Country Village & Museum
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Rights
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Genesee Country Village & Museum creates opportunities for material, object, and place availability from their collections and location accessible to the public for personal and educational research purposes pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. Within the stipulations of the museum and related rights legislation that applies to your use, it is your responsibility to obtain permission from the copyright holder to publish or reproduce images in print or electronic form; and, it is strictly prohibited for commercial use without prior communication and agreement with the institution first.
