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Description
James Ricketts wrote from London, England to Susan Niemcewicz in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. James was writing from the Secretary of States’ Office. He left Mrs. Ricketts, Maria, and their little darling at Mr. Jackson’s in perfect health. Mrs. R enjoyed better health since they arrived in London. Mentioned the capture of Alexandre Léon Durand Linois and Belle Poule, on their return from the East Indies near the Western Islands by the London of 90 guns and the Amazon Frigate. Happy to inform Susan that the dispute between America and England appeared to be on the eve of being amicably settled. Surprised that he had yet to heard from Colonel Ogden and asked Susan to tell him the following message, “Offer my best wishes to all that do me the favor to inquire after me.” They had very little news from the Continent, everything appeared to be very unsettled. The great topic in London was the trial of Lord Melville. They had ticket for Lord Chamberlin’s Gallery and were very fortunate to have such good friends. They had a most uncomfortable spring; cold, disagreeable, and very unpleasant. Most of the peaches, nectarines, and apricots were destroyed. A few days prior, James saw asparagus for the first time, that he not been found before. All the people agreed that this was the most backward spring ever remembered. Asked that if Susan or any of their friends had a package for him to send it undercover addressed to Richard Penn, Jr. Esq. Secretary of the State’s Office, Downing Street, London as the postage could be saved. Philip and James were both well and would write by the first private moment.
Note: James referenced the action of 13 March 1806, which was a naval engagement of the Napoleonic Wars.
People mentioned: Alexandre Léon Durand Linois 1761-1848; Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville 1742-1811, Phillip William John Ricketts 1786-1842, and James Livingston Ricketts 1778-1880
Author/Creator
James Ricketts (d. 1825)
Recipient
Susan Ursin Niemcewicz, formerly Susan Livingston and Susan Kean (1759-1833)
Creation Date
1806-05-09
Creation Date
5-9-1806
Document Type
Manuscript
Location
London, England
Inventory Location
Series 2; 103 C
Recommended Citation
Ricketts, James. James Ricketts to Julian Niemcewicz, May 9, 1806. Manuscript. From Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University, Liberty Hall Collection 1800s. https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/lhc_1800s/556
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 the Special Collections Research Library and Archive at keanscrla@kean.edu.
Publishing Repository
Special Collections Research Library and Archive, Kean University
Collection
Liberty Hall Collection, 1711-1847 (bulk 1790-1830)