Item 9 - Moses Paul letter, Co.Derry/Virginia

c.50pp

Folder of research material by Kerby Miller. Includes transcript of letter held in PRONI (T2850/1/5) (4pp), Kerby transcript (4pp), file of research and correspondence by Kerby, including copy of material on Moses Paul from Virginia State Library & Archives. Moses Paul, Petersburg, Virginia, admonishes his friend John Graham, Magherafelt, County Derry, for not writing to him since he arrived in 'this republic" nearly two years previous, even as he acknowledges Graham's kindness to his sister. The latter has written to Paul but he presumes "She is still as prejudiced as ever against America and Americans". While stating that he has 'turned American" he admits that "Americans are a little [underlined] better than savages [...] I know we are blamed for slavery, but we cannot help it -- we are obliged [...]". He claims that he is composing this letter while an auctioneer is 'displaying his Eloquence before the enlightened and free sons of Columbia -- over a lot of fine, healthy, likely negroes he is hiring out for the year 1841". He explains 'hiring out" as a means to send slaves that he owns but has no work for, to an auctioneer who will rent them out for a year to the highest bidder. Paul hopes he will see his relatives again 'but I am living in an uncertain climate -- here today and gone tomorrow". He asks Graham to send his affection to "that sweet Miss Eliza Duncan" but tell her he almost fell in love in America with "one of the most beautiful ladies I ever saw".

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21/11/2024
18/07/2025