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James Ricketts wrote from Otto House near Hammersmith, London to Julian Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Thanked Julian for his kind letters of the 28th and 30th of April and the 2nd of May. James wrote Julian repeatedly and hoped he received his letters as he gave an account of Bath. They had just returned from a six-week siege in the great world where night turned into day and passed the most interesting season of the year from the Country amidst the noise and brattle of that immense city. Observed that Mrs. R and Maria had written long letters on that subject already and only wanted to add that he was delighted to find himself once more in the great and hospitable house of his kind friend. Did not believe that any young stranger had ever met with more attention or seen more of the gay and fashionable world than Maria had. They had been at many of the fast horses and were met with uncommon attention. Dined twice at home only to entertain a “few old dowagers.” Discussed provisions and prices. Nothing had been discussed about Henry lord viscount Melville’s trial. He was acquitted a few days prior. Looked over Mrs. R’s letter in which she gave an account of a Masquerade Ball. She mentioned large figures in the great room but neglected to inform Julian how they were dressed like Venus, Apollo, Hercules, and Gladiators. They made them appear a little more modest and had red string ties around their bodies and fig leaves in the proper places. However, with the warmth of the room, many of the fig leaves shriveled up and they looked worse than they would have without anything. For several days, there had been strong reports of a Negotiation that took place with France. The stocks had risen in consequence and from what James had been able to learn, there was strong grounds for the report and he sincerely hoped it were true. The newspapers claimed Mr. Pinckney and Mr. Munro arrived in Liverpool and trusted they would soon adjust everything. [This became known as the Monroe–Pinkney Treaty, A maritime agreement that defined neutral and belligerent rights in times of war and established terms of trade between the United States and the British Empire. The Monroe-Pinkney Treaty of 1806: A Reappraisal, Donald R. Hickey.] The President’s Proclamation had been redacted[?] and James was increasingly mortified to hear of their blackguard expressions[?] James added a few lines dated the 24th of June. He was afforded more time to add to his letter to Julian as the Captain by whom the letter was to go did not plan to take his bag until the following morning. James recounted his jaunt in the Rivers to Woolwich. They embarked above the Bridges around 10 o’clock in the morning in a fine barge and first visited the Great West India Docks, which were the finest in the world. From there they went to Black Wall where they stopped to see the work going on to destroy an immense rock in the River near that place. A few hundred men had been working for four months. From there, they proceeded to Woolwich and afterward to Deptford where all the Royal Yacht were in Dock. After visiting the beautiful ships and frigates, they returned up the River and arrived home at about 8 o’clock in the evening. They dined on board their boat. The same day James completed his letter, they planned to visit Mr. Hopes’ fine house and his fine collections of pictures. They were to dine with Mr. Lewis and planned to go with a large party in the evening to Vana Hall. Informed Julian that he would write him by Mr. Carmac and extended his well wishes to their mutual family and friends including Susan Niemcewicz, Peter Kean, Mrs. Hilton, the Dayton’s, the Ogden’s, Jane Lewmen, and Mrs. Armstrong.

People mentioned: Henry lord viscount Melville, William Pinkney, James Monroe, Thomas Jefferson, Susan Niemcewicz, Sarah Ricketts, Maria Ricketts, Mr. Hopes, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Carmac, Mrs. Hilton, the Dayton’s, the Ogden’s, Jane Lewmen, and Mrs. Armstrong.

Places mentioned Woolwich, London; Deptford, England; Great West India Docks; Liverpool, England; and France.

Author/Creator

James Ricketts (1754-1824)

Recipient

Julian Ursin Niemcewicz (1758-1841)

Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz (1758-1841)

Creation Date

1806-06-22

Creation Date

6-22-1806

Document Type

Manuscript

Location

Hammersmith, London

Collection

Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)

Inventory Location

Bay 1, Column 1, LHC Series 2

Rights

This collection is open to the public for research use. Copyright remains with Kean University. Credit this material. Personal photographs may be made for research purposes. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to Lynette Zimmerman, Executive Director at the Liberty Hall Academic Center & Exhibition Hall at lzimmerm@kean.edu.

Publishing Repository

Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University

James Ricketts to Julian Niemcewicz, June 22, 1806

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