[I have broken the letter into paragraphs to increase its readability; the original was continuous]


John Knowles Esqr
Residt Director
Economic Office
Bridge St Blackfriars
London
England

Philadelphia
11th Augt 1838

Dear Sir

When I had last the pleasure of seeing you in England your parting words, I recollect, were _Write & let me know how you get on America_ and in compliance with that request I now sit down to address you a few lines from this place. I had a very agreeable voyage, though rather a lengthy, and, as far as weather was concerned, unfavorable one, across the Atlantic. I say agreeable because we were fortunate, the Major, now Coll [Humphrey's brother Richard Henry] & myself in our companions. These were five & thirty in all, among whom was Judge Dewer of New York, a superior man, Profr Danbury? of Oxford, Mr. Draper the Solr Genl of U.C., Com. Rogers, who is since dead &c &c To beguile the time we got up a Gazette on board published once, sometimes twice, a week, and really there were some very clever articles in it.

From New York I went to Toronto, where I met with great attention from Sir Francis Head, & all the chief people there, and then also I met with [Humphrey's brother] Charles, with whom I visited Niagara. It is awfully sublime, certainly, but nevertheless the first view rather disappoints you. I do not think any thing of Lake Ontario. Erie they say is beautiful. it is a great, unmeaning freshwater sea, & the shores anything but picturesque. I was much shocked at Charles’s appearance. he was in very bad health, & so altered, I should not have known him, but I took him under my discipline, & by making him walk 10 or 12 miles a day, have made quite a different man of him. Like my father he is killing himself by his sedentary habits.

With him I proceeded to Virginia, where I spent ten months very agreeably. Nothing could exceed the friendliness of the families near Charlottesville and the Professors of the University. They almost considered us one of themselves. --- I like the Americans very much. They are a manly & energetic people, a little too much of the latter in the North but in the South exceedingly hospitable. At Washington I saw most of the leading men, Mr Clay, Mr C[word cut off - Calhoun?] and as a special favor was admitted on the floor of the Senate to hear the former make his speech on the Sub Treasury Bill. he is a great speaker I do not say orator. Mr Van Buren I spent part of two evenings with. There is nothing particular about [word cut off] If you wish to read the best work on America get De Tocqueville’s book, it is correct & highly philosophical.

Charles is doing well here. his name stands very high & I think it will be his own fault if he does not make a fortune. It appears to me a pity for his reputation’s sake that he is not in Europe, but the money perhaps is of more consequence. His wife is a very ladylike woman & has been exceedingly pretty, she is still good looking, & he has three fine children, two girls, & a boy. with a good house & a good income. He promised me that he would write to you some months ago, but whether he did so, I really forget.

The scenery in America, as far as I have yet seen of it, is not so fine as I expected, but I have not yet been to the West. I am now on my way to Michigan. Charles has bought considerable property there near Kalamazoo, and I am going to look after it for him. I think I shall follow his example, if I can --- with my Annuity. The chance --- I believe --- ---. It is a man’s own fault if with a few hundred pounds capital, he does not make a fortune in a few years. The interest of money is commonly fm 10 -- 11[?] prCent. I have been studying the Sanscrit & Anglo Saxon at the University and intend to try what I can make of the Indian languages where I am going. Mr Du Ponseau, the Presidt of the Philosophl Society here, has been very kind in giving me every assistance in his power.

Pray when you next see Mr Cartwright remember me kindly to him. I shall always recollect his atentions to me. You were not in good health when I left England. I trust you are quite recovered long before this.

I remain Dr Sir
Very truly Yours
H Bonnycastle

I shod be much pleased if you would write me a few lines to Kalamazoo Michigan US