West, Lewis H., 1829-? to R. West
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.03 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H., 1829-? Place Written: Shanghai, China Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 June 1860 Pagination: 6 p. : Height: 24.6 cm, Width: 19.9 cm Order a Copy
References his mother's and Mary's letters. Says he is finally in Shanghai "after one of the hardest passages I ever made, to, or from, the Indies." Says their sails froze to the mast in January and they could barely get them set. Goes on to describe the bad weather of the voyage in detail, including running into a hurricane after rounding the Cape of Good Hope. Says the voyage to China took 142 days and said "It is a relief to find other people worse off than yourself, so I was exceedingly pleased to learn that the, Magenta, a rival clipper, which sailed 8 days before us, was not yet arrived." Does not know where he will go after Shanghai -- predicts either Hong Kong or Japan, as the French and English governments want to get horses from the latter. His friend Hildreth says "women are all alike, false, & fickle, & nuisances generally; making a special exception in favor of Jo. Moore, whom he advises me to marry as soon as we get home!" Hildreth's last engagement went sour, which has brought on the cynical tone, West reports. Says he has been constantly wet, but in great health. Wants her to continue sending letters in care of "Heard & Co."
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