Letter to Dr. H. Van Arsdale, Atlantic Hotel, New York, from W. H. Harrison, New Orleans, Louisiana 1845
… Physicians make a great deal of money here, in summer as fever Cases least but two or three days, and the charge is from 50 to $100. W. H. Harrison, New Orleans 1845
New Orleans April 1st 1845
Dear Doctor,
Some time since I received a letter from you, containing the sad intelligence, of the death of my mother, since which Father, and your brother Mr. E. Van A. have arrived here. Father handed to me a gold pen, as a present from you, which will be highly valued, as a souvenir of yourself, and for which. – thanks. It was a great gratification to me to meet Father, after having been seperated for so long a time. I found him but little changed as to appearance, and that for the better. He bears his age very well. He has already met many of his old friends, and seems quite at home. They intended going to the Havana, but I believe have abandoned the idea. I do not think Mr Van Arsdale fancies travelling very much, but yet appears to enjoy himself pretty well.
The Change from that Nasty climate of yours to that of the Crescent City must be agreeable to every one. It was uncomfortably warm yesterday, and we have all the fruits and vegetables of summer. I should like to come North this summer, but have no hopes of being able to do so. We are likely to have a sickly season, which to those of your profession will be agreeable. As last year was very healthy, and their principal dependance is on Yellow fever. Nice thing that, don’t you think so, not to be able to make a living except when others are dying.
Physicians make a great deal of money here, in summer as fever Cases least but two or three days, and the charge is from 50 to $100. but there is almost as many doctors as patients, and only two or three of any notoriety. We were sitting in the St Charles Hotel, on Sunday last, and there was Six Newarkers within a yard of one another, which looked something like home.
I would give much to go to Newark for a short time, but to live there permanently would not do. This has been a very gay season for N. Orleans but at present it is very quiet. We have had masked balls, operas in three languages, and every kind of Amusement in abundance. How do you get along with your French? I have so much occasion to speak french that I do not think I am losing it, except perhaps the accent, which in talking to the half breeds here, is quite superfluous. Dan wishes me to thank you for the pen sent him, and unites with Father & myself in sending their respects.
Yours truly
W H Harrison
Submitter: Phillip F. Schlee E- mail: schlee@ksu.edu
Notes: This is a letter to Dr. H. Van Arsdale, Atlantic Hotel, New York, from W. H. Harrison, New Orleans, [Louisiana], April 1, 1845. It is from my collection. No information yet on the writer; but I will eventually do some research on the names mentioned in the letter.