Letter, from G.M. Watson to T.W. Hunt
Object number1985.042.01
DateFebruary 5, 1839
OriginLittle Rock, Arkansas
Mediumpaper and ink
DimensionsOverall: 9 3/4 x 15 1/4 in. (24.8 x 38.7 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Terms
Little Rock
Feb. 5, 1839
Dear Hunt,
I have just written a letter to a youth in Memphis and having nothing else to occupy my time til bedtime, I'll just give you a copy of that letter or a copy at least in substance which will contain some items of our trip thus far.
Was for then I say "we saild before the wind". We arrived at this famous city about ten this morning after a fatiguing trip, but all safely. The "Missip" swamp was terribly bad, but my little steed Reckless bore me nobly through and has made not a blunder all the way. As the circus clown says: "this is a horse that has no equal except his rider". Jake ought to be ashamed for abusing him and throwing him. Catlett's horse fell with him three times, rolling his rider in the mud til he was a perfect site.
I could scarcely have selected better traveling companions than young Catlett and his boy Darvino; the latter is useful in attending to our horses and waiting on us. Catlett is green from the mountains of old Va. and like you, Catlett leave home is frequently sighing for those he has left behind him. But on those occasions (as I said to Sam), I raise the tune to him of the little song of "My Heart is in the Highlands" and he invariably takes up the (?) of the song and feels better after singing it. We have averaged 35 miles per day, and when we stop at night after having eaten a hearty supply of corn ca,kes and venison or bearmeat or hog meat with a cup or two of coffee; I say then with my legs up against the log chimney by a hot fire and a Spansh Segar in my mouth; I think to myself "who would grieve at being a traveler? Even though it be through rugged Arkansas? You had better mount and take the trip some day - it will cure you know what.
Catlett is a clever fellow and thus we go merrily on our winding way. Shall leave here tomorrow about ten expect. Since writing the other letter mentioned, I have been up in the city canvassing with some acquaintances and find this Bank Dispute here has not raised such an excitement as I was at first informed was the case.
We stop at the Western Exchange - no great house altho the barkeeper lets me write at his desk behind the counter whilst he gapes and nods in the corner. Those natives about here stick out the handles of their weapons very far our of their pockets. It makes no difference however with this chicken - got weapons too. I saw a pretty little girl at Mr. Collins. You ought to come over there and see her, she was feeding her pet pig when we rode up but the way she quit the pet pig and run off to herself was curious. Send me in a newspaper - we have 160 miles to go yet but mostly over good road.
I sent some mephages (messages?) to Isaac Moore and other in that same other letter so I've nothing more to say as Catlett is at me to come to bed.
Adieu,
G.M. Watson
On back of letter: Mr. T.M. Collins is here and advises me to send this on by him as the mail is very irregular - so let it go. Tell Sam to stir those monkeys and please to attend to that W.R. James case.
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