John Benjamin was born in England in 1823. In 1849, at the age of 26, he immigrated to America with the goal of seeking opportunities in the new world and improving the life of his family. During his immigration and eventual settlement in Hutchinson, Minnesota, John saved many personal letters that were written by and to him. These letters, the subject of this web site, bring to life his immigration and the life of others during this courageous adventure. The most recent letters posted on this sight are on this front page. To see all the earlier letters, keep pressing the “Older Posts” button on the bottom of this page. The earliest letter recorded here is June 20, 1849. The letters…………

August 11, 1858 Thomas Gleave to John Benjamin-1823

Flint
August 11, 1858
 My Dear John,
Your kind letter comes duly to hand but I was in Scotland at the time and since then I have been a good deal from home.
 I feel ashamed at being so long in writing.  I felt that every day I was doing wrong in not writing you a line.  My great reason for delaying was that I had not been successful in procuring the money you want.  I went to Holywell to Mr. Jones and he could do nothing.  I requested him to see Mr. Garner, your brother in law, thinking he might be able to render assistance but he could not.  I fear in the present state of things that all our attempts will be futile.  I feel very sorry for you and can assure it’s no empty excuse on my part, no unwillingness, but inability to do what you want.  I hope ere you receive this that means may have sprung up from some other source, tho by all accounts money is as scarce in America as here.  We are all in a woeful plight: trade very bad and no cash to be got, although the money market is easy and it may be borrowed on good security, but it does not get into the commercial channels.   There is no immediate prospect of an improvement.
 
We have every appearance of a good harvest.  Whether that will make a difference or not I cannot tell.   I hope it may.  We have not been working full time for months and we have not near the number of hands employed that we used to have.  Robert Williams is with us but not doing much. 
 
I am just on the point of leaving for Scotland again.  I shall be about three weeks away, I do not expect to do much business in the present state of affairs.  Will the great gold discovery in Oregon do you any good?  It appears by the papers to be causing a great sensation.
 
Do pray write to your father.  They are very unhappy in not hearing from you, and let me hear from you soon.  I do hope and trust you will be enabled  to write in better spirits than last .
 
Our united kind regards to Mrs. B. & yourself. 
 
Believe me to be yours ever faithful,
 
Thomas Gleave

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