917.7 TWO LETTERS OF THOMAS NYE, 
 
 - RELATING TO A JOURNEY FROM , f - 
 MONTREAL TO CHICAGO, 1837 \- V 
 
 N985t
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 ILLINCIS LIBRARY 
 
 AT UREANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 "-L. HIST. SURVEY
 
 Two Letters 
 
 "f 
 
 THOMAS NYE 
 
 Relating to 
 
 A Journey from Montreal to Chicago 
 
 in 1837 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 HUGH McLELLAN 
 
 CHAMPLAIN 
 
 Privately Printed at the zMoorsfield Trefi 
 
 1931
 
 Two Letters 
 
 of 
 
 THOMAS NYE 
 
 Relating to 
 
 A Journey from Montreal to Chicago 
 
 in 1837 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 HUGH McLELLAN 
 
 CHAMPLAIN 
 
 Privately Printed at the •JfCoonfield 'Pre/s 
 
 1931
 
 Fifty-eight copies of these I^etters were printed in 'December, ig3l, 
 
 at the tJMoorsfield T'refs, Champlnin, JA^bi York, being 
 
 its nineteenth produftion. JA(j;. >] A . .
 
 9/1,1 
 
 s 
 
 Forelivord 
 
 The title may seem misleading to the reader of these 
 Letters because no mention is found in them oi (Chicago, 
 although Thomas Nye had undertaken the journey for 
 the express purpose of visiting ti^r/f/ So w/waw at 'Dunck- 
 lee s Qrove, Illinois, and of obtaining the hand of his 
 daughter, Corinna. The marriage was solemnized in 
 Chicago on December 5, 1837, by Rev. Isaac T. Hinton. 
 The next day Thomas Nye and his bride left (^hicago 
 in the "stage mail waggon" for Detroit, and the trip to 
 cjyfow/r^a/was continued by boat to Cleveland, and over- 
 land along the southern shore ofjQa^ Erie to Buffalo — 
 with an appropriate visit to Niagara Falls — and thence 
 through "liochester, Sodus, Oswego, Pulaski, IVatertown, 
 (^ouverneur and Ogdensburg. 
 
 His visit to Chicago is, however, described in the 
 "diary or journal of dates, expenses & some memo- 
 randums & remarks" of the journey, which has fortu- 
 nately been preserved. The Letters here presented 
 will serve to supplement this Journal. 
 
 Thomas Nye was the youngest son of Elias and Eliza- 
 beth C^artlett) Nye. He was born in Carver, Plymouth 
 County, Massachusetts, August 23, i 801 ; graduated from
 
 FOREWORD 
 
 the University of Vermont in 1822; took up the prac- 
 tice of law in Montreal, ^e., after several years of study 
 in the law-office of John Boston, a lawyer of some prom- 
 inence in <JWontreal and J^ower Qanada. Thomas Nye 
 died May 1 5, 1877, in rj^ontreal, and was buried in the 
 family vault in GlenwoodQemetery, Qhamplain, New York. 
 He was a man of considerable learning, a great read- 
 er and a close observer. Occasionally, in the few letters 
 which remain, mostly on his legal business, we find such 
 comments and observations as the following: 
 From Montreal, May 12, 1825, to F.t^B. Nye, OdellTown. 
 
 1 think I shall be able to make you a good visit 
 after June Term is over; I want to go out very much 
 indeed, tho I can't say but that I am becoming a little 
 more naturalized and begin to feel myself a little more 
 at home. I don't believe there was ever a poor fellow 
 who came out of College so much harassed by fears & 
 expedtations who had so little to lose or gain and occu- 
 pied so little space as I — in fadt I was a complete Vi- 
 sionary, or Moon Struck. I knew something of the 
 World thro Books but nothing in reality, every thing 
 was System, and whenever any misdirefted force came 
 in contadl with my Machinery I was out, I was non 
 plussed, I was sick. I am not entirely free yet, but I 
 almost every day feel some of the old strings snap off, 
 and Lord! I feel as much relieved as John Bunyans 
 Christian did when he felt his Knapsack of Worldly 
 Wisdom droping off, and I breathe free[e]r after it. I 
 think likely if I could have travelled about a little it 
 would have done me a great deal of Good. 
 From Montreal, May 30, i 83 1 , to Bartlett Nye, La £ole. 
 
 I was at ^ebec only about 3 days & am very glad
 
 FOREWORD V 
 
 I went. The weather was rather rough & the season 
 appeared much later towards Quebec. 
 
 I liked the ways & manners of the people I saw 
 much better than those oi <Jt(ontreal. I should think 
 them to be much plainer & more civil & polite as far 
 as I saw. I was in many Public Offices & attended the 
 Court of Appeals & think I could perceive that busi- 
 ness is verv easilv transafted at the Public Offices — the 
 Fort and public works I didn't think any very great 
 thing, perhaps the present times in the world influenced 
 my mind — I hate the sight of any thing military, & 
 mine I believe is getting to be the prevailing taste or 
 vice versa. 
 
 The Governor is here & to remain some 4 or 5 
 Weeks I understand. The Ear went to make him their 
 respeds in a body at his Levee & I might have gone, 
 but it seems to me a very empty & miserable ceremony 
 not a word being said, but your name announced, a bow 
 & scrape & make way for another — the very extrem- 
 ity & fag end of Aristocracy. 
 
 From Montreal, August 30, 1835, to F. i^ B. Nye, Lacole. 
 
 I saw Sir Cha s Edw'd Grey today (Sunday) he looks 
 a big, robust, gruff appearing. Lump of a John Bull 
 Grazier or Cattle Farmer, with broad Hat & exceed- 
 ing plain (not too fine) Cloathes ; I thought Major 
 IVingfield {o( 2,-'^) appeared delicate at toaling along the 
 Street with him. He and some Officers of the 3 Vessels 
 of War now at Quebec are gone up to Niagara. I should 
 not have said so much about them but there is so much 
 talk about them. 
 
 Hugh McLellan 
 
 Champlain, N. Y. .November 11, 1931.
 
 Two Letters of Thomas Nye 
 
 Relating to a Journey from Montreal to Chicago 
 
 in 1837 
 
 I 
 
 Point e 1)u Ch^ne or City of Algonac, d^ichigan, 
 
 II Nov"" 1837 8 ock P.M. 
 On Board Constellation Stm. B' from 'Buffalo. 
 
 D" Brothers,' 
 
 Just out of Lake St Clair entering St Clair River, 
 Cabin Passengers all playing Cards in Fine Cabin on 
 Deck, Moonlight & Schooner along side about to leave 
 for Detroit. I am going round theLakes Huron &c Mich- 
 igan being considered far better than over Michigan by 
 Waggons & Stage & bad Roads ; pay $30. & found from 
 Buffalo. I have not time to say much, was rather wind 
 bound & waited this Boat at Buffalo 4 days, have had 
 pretty nice weather except great Blow crossing from 
 Oswego to Toronto, & Sunday Buffalo Docks were flood- 
 ed by a great blow. 
 
 I was highly pleased with (^leaveland, high & dry 
 like Burlington, saw George Tuttle there & Capt" War- 
 ner, had most pleasing accounts of Ohio, Geo.&c Alexr 
 are doing finely 60 Miles thence at Manhattan O. he 
 savs Ohio is beyond comparison the finest State in the 
 
 ^Freeman and Bart let t Nye. This letter is addressed : "Mess"^ F. H 
 B. Nse of Laiole, L. C. Chemp/ain Post-Office A^ Y."
 
 THOMAS NVE 
 
 U. S. & from all accounts I should think so certainly, 
 the weather seemed as Warm and fine as August or 
 i^' Sept""; Buffalo is evidently over-Built on most splen- 
 did Scale but may come up to it. 1 saw Prentis Law's^ 
 Tavern a little way out of City well furnished & he 
 much improved & called smart very comfortably sit- 
 uated with his wife, boy & Father. 
 
 At Detroit met /. Hobart, the Town is quite finely 
 built with Brick & I like it very much. Saw the Legis- 
 lature then in Session & Young Governor Mason,^ 
 a K^ntuckian of a Virginia family, very young looking 
 apparently 23, black hair & fine strong teeth & mid- 
 dling size, a Lawyer appearing about like Averill* but 
 much shorter, & smarter eyes, quite prominent or Bee- 
 tle like, anxiously waiting & cannon firing expedling his 
 reeleftion, but supposed his majority will be very small 
 if elected. 
 
 12"', Sunday Morning approaching "Palmer, Co. T. 
 St. Clair County, looks well, shores low on both sides 
 since ^Detroit, & St Clair Lake is shallow with Grass or 
 Weeds growing far into the water in some parts, appears 
 almost as wide as L. Champlain, they threw the Lead 
 very frequently. The Canad'n side is considered rather 
 before Michigan side in soil but does not appear near 
 so well built, the Boat touches no where on the C. side, 
 the soil appears excellent both sides. 
 
 Saw the Steam B' ^'Thames" coming in through Lake 
 
 '^Prentiss Law was proprietor of the Citf Hotel, Montreal, in I 83 3. 
 ^Stevens T. Mason, first Governor oi Michigan, 1836-1840. 
 * Probably Calvin K. Averitl, an attorney at Rouses Point, N. Y.
 
 TWO LETTERS 9 
 
 6'/ Clair from out the River Thames from Chatham I 
 believe. There are two extra (old) Captains, Blake & 
 IVagstaff tsk.en on board zt Detroit engaged by Mr. 
 Holt a Proprietor who comes to Fort Gratiot, to assist 
 the Voyage round, in case of need. Took 700 b*""'* Coal 
 at Qlevelandzx. 14 c'* & an immensity of Wood at Algo- 
 nac, taking all night. 
 
 Just saw 4 Wigwams & Lots of Indians & papooses 
 on Michigan side, also on Q. side, but ran closer the M. 
 side. They are shooting Ducks w"" abound in the River, 
 with Rifles, will soon be at F't. Gratiot ab' 85 Miles 
 from Detroit, Mr. Holt will land there & then the Boat 
 proceeds to MacJ^nac. 
 
 Young M'' Livingston a Clerk in yi. Fur Qo. formerly 
 Clerk at Qates 6^ £0} recognized me & calls me by 
 name from knowing F. Sr' B. Nye he comes from N. 
 York, belongs & is stationed at Sault Ste. Marie on Ste 
 Marie River coming out oi Lake Superior into Huron, 
 where Gabriel Franch'ere the Agent is & I may see him 
 at (iPtCackinac. I know him well, boarded with his Sister, 
 an uncommonly fine man & Successor to zM.atthews, 
 went round to Oregon, Astoria, by Qape Horn.'' 
 
 It is impossible to write legibly, but you may pick 
 out some part & it is a Letter with a date if nothing more. 
 
 The weather has been surprisingly fine to me, & they 
 dont seem to think it at all unusual, but thro J^ake Huron 
 comes the Tug & then Lake •JtCichigan, they & L. Su- 
 
 ' Horatio Gates £^ (Jo., commission merchants in Montreal. Issued 
 printed Prices Current from 1823 to 1834. 
 
 •In 1810, in the "Tonquin" , while in ihe employ oi Joi>n Jacoi jitter.
 
 lO THOMAS NYE 
 
 perior are all 900 P deep. I probably will see something 
 Curious at Mackinac. 
 
 The Boat expefted to have met the Indians from 
 JVashington at or above Detroit but they have not ar- 
 rived, I believe, so far. 
 
 For curiosity I may send a Letter to R. or Eliza. ' 
 I shan't get back by 4"" Dec"", the Witness days, but 
 make up my mind to it, to make the most of it. 
 
 If things continue so fine in appearance I am afraid 
 I shall want to come to the Country to live after push- 
 ing at the bar for a year or two longer, but must secure 
 land before. I always fancied Indiana & should think 
 that or Ohio most desirable, the Rock River (Country in 
 Illinois & Ouisconsin stands foremost now in that direc- 
 tion. It does appear that people get their living easily 
 & those who have been East on business are delighted 
 to return & say they would, knowing what they do, 
 abandon their Eastern properties without compensation 
 rather than be prevented from emigrating & these are 
 hale, sensible, right kind of men; they say they were 
 astonished & would often stand amazed at the facilities 
 in farming. All excellent for farmers, but the state of 
 Society & things must long be unpleasant in a New 
 Country. But strange, everything is as convenient so 
 far in travelling as on Lake Qhamplain or Hudson River, 
 appears almost as well established on a larger Scale. It 
 is pleasant travelling however I suppose everywhere 
 with money. 
 
 They have excellent Horses in Ohio & some Young 
 
 ' His sisters, Ruth Shurtleff Nye and Elixabeth Bartlett (N\e) Hof/e.
 
 TWO LETTERS 
 
 men coming up from out of (Cleveland talking of Hunt- 
 ing & shooting Black & Grey Squirrels reminded me 
 of old times & would please Bartlett. 
 
 The effort of travelling so far is nothing, but in re- 
 turning, if I do over land thro. dWicbigan will be tough 
 work & possibly all the way home. I suffered more to 
 Lachine & through the infernal Roads from (Cascades to 
 Coteau du Lac & Long Sault & seeing the naked stony 
 & Hemlock vicinity of (Cornwall than I know can be 
 suffered anywhere on Land. It was enough to make 
 one cut his throat some would say. And now to think 
 of your Black ground & Sherington (Country & the fine 
 hard wood lands in view affords a wonderful contrast 
 besides the difference in Climate which I think must 
 be considerable. 
 
 Now we arrive at Fort C^ratiot i o'ck P. M. no troops 
 here, the Col., tJtCcNeil, was here short time since, not 
 a soldier, but the American Flag flying looks fine; I 
 have not seen it I think for 20 years. The Fort is said 
 to be in Beautiful order & it looks well at a little distance. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 '/■. Nye 
 
 "Black 'R^ver & tillage are just before coming to the 
 Fort. 
 
 In the second Letter, written after his return to Mont- 
 real, Thomas Nye takes up the story of his trip at Fort 
 Gratiot. He does not mention his marriage. Nor does 
 he write anything about (^bicago, which seems surpris- 
 ing until we remember that on March 4, i 837, when it
 
 THOMAS NYE 
 
 became a city — and nine months before Mr. Nye's 
 visit — Chicago had but 4479 inhabitants. It is also 
 curious that no mention is made of the so-called ^ap- 
 ineau Rebellion, except in the allusion in the following 
 letter to Dr. Nelson s "political course". 
 
 II 
 
 <iMontreal, 10*" Jany. 1838. 
 
 Dear Brothers/ 
 
 I returned on the 28"^ Dec"" after just 2 months ab- 
 sence and should have written you, but waited a little 
 to learn the state of things and was told by Mr. 'Bur- 
 roughs that you were said by Mr. Hubbell to be expected 
 in a few days. 
 
 I cannot now write you a full account of my journey 
 but was so highly gratified that I shall wish you to go 
 with me and have a thorough tour through all the 
 Western & South- Western States. Had I been some- 
 thing earlier & had a little more money, or as late as it 
 was the more healthy, I should have run down thro, 
 the Ohio & Missisippi (gauntry. The region is splendid 
 for the poor and the rich farmers to go to & those who 
 have trades probably also, but the comfortably thriving 
 in any traffic, or trades, should remain where they are. 
 The advantageous change to my fancy is South of what 
 in Ohio is the ridge or high land cutting off the Lake 
 
 ^Freeman and Bartlett Nye. This letter is addressed: "Mess"'* F. isf 
 B. Nye Lacote, L. C. fav" by M' Geo. Hoyie."
 
 TWO LETTERS I3 
 
 & Northerly Winds which are very piercing & sweep 
 with terrible power over the prairies in Indiana & Ill- 
 inois particularly and wherever there is exposure. I 
 suffered worse a few days than in our Coldest Winter 
 days, but South of their reach I do believe you may 
 basic in the Sun upon a rich Soil. The Soil is always 
 as fine as can be conceived after 30 or 40 miles above 
 Buffalo every where South and West & the Climate as 
 to warmth can be the only consideration. 
 
 The Voyage after leaving Fort Gratiot tossing over 
 Lake Huron a little rough for 100 Miles or so, stopping 
 at T'resque Isle, spending part of a day at Michillimac- 
 inac Fort & Post within 14 miles of Lake Superior in 
 sight oi T)rummond' s Island, beautiful trout 25 to 30 l"*' 
 for 50 c'% water as clear as the air to a great depth, fine 
 Sunny weather, passing through the Straits, landing on 
 Manitou Islands, passed the Light-Ship stationed in the 
 Strait & the htautxiuWy vih\te Sleeping-Hear'Banl^evtn. 
 as a Canal Slope 600 feet high, out of sight of land 
 nearly a day at a time in both Lakes, & passing close 
 to the Shore of Ouisconsin touching at ManitouwaukSc 
 down apparently in the Sun's face thro. Lake Michigan ; 
 all that was delightful. 
 
 I have some Stones, & canes cut at some points, & 
 a diary or journal of dates, expenses & some memoran- 
 dums & remarks. It would be too tedious to write you 
 all; perhaps it is nothing of pecuniary value, but it has 
 been a great treat to me, and I do hope you will not lose 
 another year, if there be anything pleasant in the world 
 and I am convinced there is [a] inconceivably much.
 
 14 THOMAS NYE 
 
 which we are losing hourly while so stationary. 
 
 I shall continue to lodge at Mr. Whinfield' s for a 
 time, till I can locate myself in some snug apartments. 
 Nothing worth remembering of an unpleasant nature 
 occurred to me while gone, & no business has suffered 
 at home as nothing has been done in the Courts in my 
 absence. 
 
 The Butter last brought was not sold as you left no 
 price & forbid M'' W. to sell till you should see to it 
 & although much sought for at a good price, lo or 1 1 
 pence, I believe is now down to 8**, but may rise again. 
 I shall use my judgment when to sell, it is in a good 
 state & M'' W has taken a cask or two of it. The old 
 is become bad, 3 or 4 Casks remaining, McQueen could 
 not sell the last & will return it. I shall endeavor to at- 
 tend to it strictly in future as I understand it I think 
 now as well as any one, & shall trust to no one's opin- 
 ion entirely but my own & not wait for yours any more. 
 
 Yours T. Nye 
 
 P. S. Should you meet Dodf Nelson"^ in Champlain, 
 be as useful & polite as you can to him; he was a par- 
 ticular friend of M'' Bowman s^'^ & of Corinna, who 
 
 ^ Dr. Wolfred Netion, (1792-1863), served as a surgeon in War of 
 l8l2; a leader of the insurgents in the P/ipineau Rebellion, 1837-38; 
 banished to Bermuda by Lord Durham, released and lived in Plattsburgh, 
 N. Y., until the genera! amnesty of 1 842, when he returned to Montreal. 
 Mayor of Montreal, Inspeftor of Prisons, and head of the Lower Can- 
 ada College of Physicians and Surgeons. 
 
 1" zAriel bowman, a publisher, bookseller and binder of Montreal. 
 Moved to Duncklee^s Grove, III., and in 184010 CA;Vd^ff, where, with 
 his partner, Hugh Ross, he was the earliest book-binder. He died July 
 3, 1844, aged 58.
 
 A CORRECTION 
 
 The possibility that the Dr. Nelson mentioned by Mr. 
 Nye might have been Dr. Robert Nelson, ot Montreal, 
 led me to place the matter before the Public Archives 
 of Canada, and through the courtesy of Mr. G.J. Audet 
 I learn that in Januarv, i 838, Dr. PVolfred Nelson, hav- 
 ing been taken prisoner after the battle of St. Charles, 
 was in jail in Montreal, while Robert was in the United 
 States; therefore Mr.vVv^ obviously refers to Dr. Robert 
 Nelson. Mr. Audet kindlv furnished me with a sketch, 
 which is condensed into the following foot-note to re- 
 place that on page 14: 
 
 " Dr. Roheri Nelson, (1 794-1 *i73)i a distinguished dottor of medicine 
 and surgeon, member ot the Massachuietls Medical Society. He was a 
 vounger brother of Dr. tVotfred Nelson, and was born in Montreal. 
 Represented Montreal- ^festm the Legislative Assembly from 1827 to 
 1830 and again from 1834 to 1838. In 1814, when but 20vears of 
 age, was appointed surgeon to the 7th battalion of incorporated militia, 
 (Deichambaiilt' s CorpsJ, and later transferred to a regiment called the 
 Indian li^arnon and .served until the peace. He was one of the chiefs 
 of the Rebellion of jSjJ-jS. Fled to the l/«/W 5/d/^j and proclaimed- 
 himself the President ot the Republic of Lower Canada. Invaded the 
 province (battle o( Odelltotrn) but returned to the States to escape arrest. 
 Lived in California and in Netv Yor/^ City, where he praftised as a con- 
 sulting surgeon. Contributed to medical journals; translated HupetandC s 
 system of medicine. Died on Slaten Island, New Yor{.
 
 TWO LETTERS Ij 
 
 corresponded with M" Nelson a Very learned & highly 
 accomplished Ladv & schollar who has seen the world 
 & DodF A'^. is perhaps the most accomplished Schollar 
 & intelligent & profitable acquaintance that you will 
 ever see in the course of your lives, a great loss had he 
 not been so unfortunate in his political course. T.N. 
 He knows me pretty well & I think will feel some- 
 what interested on M""* Nelsons & £orinna s account, 
 or would, were he not so situated, they were expeding 
 to be very intimate in Montreal.
 
 
 19 Thomas Nye. Two Letters, 1837. No.^
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 ?;jo\mVRS OF THOMAS°NYE RELATING TO A 
 
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