New Orleans City, Feb.3. 1834 Monday
Dear Brother,
This morning I received yours of Jan.12th
& am very sorry to hear so much sad news of the ill
health of William, the dangerous sickness of Emily -
But let me go back & say something of old affairs -
in Hayti I could see no prospect of doing anything
except at Port of Prince-& there only in this manner -
by opening a hospital for the sick sailors in port --& by attend-
ing upon the American vessels. To do that and to live
there would require more cash than I could ever
expect to have - indeed by law the regular charge
for a visit is about 371/2 to 50 cts. & if a Physician
keeps drugs then he must pay a Government Fee.
The physician cannot collect his bills unless he keeps
or marries a "Native" & do business in her name.
At P.au P. I had an offer by a Creole girl - in joke or
ernest - to enter into "partnership" -I doctor & She Nurse!-
So much for P.au P. by the by - Ralph C wrote me -
no encouragement! This day I have seen on
board Dr Thurston! He left [-----?] in Disgust -
There is the "old Physician" returns again as I wrote -
Thurston says he is a perfect Quack. Thurston could
not collect a cent more than they pleased to give
him-- & for advice - why it brought nothing!
Dr Tn has taken Lodgings in the City -& he says the
cheapest is $7 pr week!--- but an office he has not
yet open-but that a room can not be obtained
under $20 pr month ! He intends to keep a kind
of Bachelors Hall-but could find no place con-
venient. He recommended me to settle down
in some village that is growing & there stick -
I know of a Planter that will give $200 pr year,
board - keep home & a waiting boy - i.e. defray all
expenses - but there is no practice around & & let
me stay ever so long I should after all have to
make a beginning elsewhere - I hear of a Place
100 miles up the river where possibly by opposition
I might make something - though there are 2 Phy.
there already -I called on [----?] this fore noon -
his partner is sick - He is deeply employed in business
but in a few days will devote some time to
me, in any way most desired - I dined yesterday
& took tea with a Mr. Hays - formerly of Dover -
he has resided here for 22 years -He says that
people diet too much that come out here &
are too much frightened - He thinks the danger
is not so great as is represented - that a man
ought to live as they have been accustomed
to live - the City is filling with M.D.s fr all parts!!!

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Mr. Coldwell gave me an introduction to a Dr. Moore -
a young man - who formerly resided in the coun-
try & after (I suspect) marrying well removed into the
city & is doing well-He told me of the above places
up the River-- & is now making enquiries about
the village - & thinks it would be a good place
for me; he thinks that a years expenses would be
fr $4 to 500 pr year but that I might make as
much unless the old Pn who in giving his atten-
tion to Planting, should actively oppose me - The
young Pn there is dissipated -
I am still aboard the Brig which has discharged-
because the boom is so high - By the Brig Iris for Portsmouth
I sent my journal to you that you might see my
living & judge yourself what Wheelwright might
demand for my living so long in his vessel
I intended to have written & sent pretty sea shells
to Abby & the children that I collected at Ragged Island
but the Iris took steam & went sooner than I expected -
Emily, I am sorry to see, has exerted herself beyond
her strength -- & by severe experience she will
learn to enquire what is the use of property af-
ter her health is broken - by your letter it would
seem as if she was left alone to do her whole
work & even without a female attendant in
her lonesome house at a time too -
the most anxious & interesting to a female
& in her case, when any one might have known
would be difficult if not dangerous -
she had passed too long an interval & mother
should have had more thought about her -
I do not like to blame anyone - but if E was
without a female attendant at that time - I fear
somebody was to blame - If I cannot for years
enjoy fireside happiness myself I have always wished
that Emily & yours might be complete - &
indeed, it always seemed as if I should be hap-
py enough if I could return & dwell with each
of you - William too is sick - Does his Capt. make
free use of fresh provisions ? Does he carry "Fowles"
to Sea with him? Pray look to it - for remember
that it is one reason of my coming out here,
that in time I hope we shall be of ad-
vantage to each other - provided I settle about
here & he rises in his profession & continues in
the Carrying Trade

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Sunday Night Feb.9 Another week has almost passed &
still I am undetermined - after more minute inqui-
ries, I find that the Physician will still remain another
year with the Planter for $200 & concerning the place still
higher up the river - he speaks rather unfavorably - so that
here remains another opening & that is to settle down in
the upper part of the City - where Physic are scarce ---but
then the danger that I shall run of being sick & loosing
the opportunity of business & also accumulating a high
bill is to be taken into consideration - if I were only
acclimated I should wish for no better place to
get into business than the upper part of this City
Even to do that would require $4 pr week for board & $2
pr week for office or $25 pr month - Here a Physicn
charges just what he thinks can be obtained - As yet I
have not attempted to find any business but a place
&c to practice - for the sooner I enter upon it the better.
I might probably find employment to pay my
board-but then when I commence I may be as empty
handed as ever -Dr.Thurston recommends me to go
up the river to Mississippi - near Jackson, in a town
just spring up on the Indian Lands - the "Yoroo Reschore".
He mentioned more particularly Carroll - but the whole re-
gion is rapidly settling with heavy planters - But it is really
arduous to make the attempt with but $25 in my pocket!
I have heard of Physicians in that Region where practice ex-
tended 10 miles in on either side - & whose income amoun-
ted to 10,000 a year! I ought to have had a new suit
of thick clothes - before I left home - They are very dear here
Thomas I wish you practically to remember that
during my whole stay aboard Wheelright's brig I have
always lived in 'everyday stile" - There has been nothing
extra on my account --& that Wheelright must charge
accordingly-also W paid my passage fr P.au.Prince
to N.O. would be $10 - but as we went a difft route
he may ask more - but his Merchant at P.au. P. told
me the passage would not be lengthened more than
4 or 5 days - & that at Ragged Isl I boarded ashore for
2 or 3 weeks & paid -
Tuesday Feb 11- The Brig goes to night by steam -& all you
will have to pay Wheelt - will be any passage & board during
the rout except 2 or 3 weeks at Ragged Isl. Of Capt. Adams
I have borrowed some money occasionally but all you
will pay him will be a note of $5 or 8 dollars
For attendance on him at Rugged he cancels
some more that I have borrowed - I have not
yet called on Coldwell for the 50 but shall
have to do it immediately.-

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I have boarded in port on the brig & my expenses would
be cheaper - I really do not know want to do at
present - I want to commence my profession im-
mediately - but have no funds & it will take $50 at
least --- to fit me out with clothes N Orleans is the
place for trade & nothing but trade - I do not want
to spend 3 or 4 months on a thing & then quit it - I
am now trying to find some apothecary in a good
county that wants an assistant-it may be
that I shall have to call for some more money and

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shall not do it if I can help it in any case I
shall write by mail -I hope Emily has
recovered & that William is on his legs again-
did William bring any cloth from Liverpool? Everything I
that I want here costs &frac13 to ½ more than at
home if you can send by vessel to the
care of W.N. Coldwell -it would reach me for
I shall keep up a communication with him.-
let me go where I will - I hope that all
things prosper with you at home & that in
time we may meet again. Farewell
Char. P