Provenance:
The letter that is translated below was written by Rachel Hartshorne Robinson to her brother, Juan Alfredo Robinson, in 1834. The copy used by Julia Dumas for translation was obtained by John Dumas, Jr. from Francisco Espriu via email. The original letter was probably written in English for the correspondents were from New York state. However, the original may have been translated to Spanish for use in Mexico. The Spanish version is the one that comes down to us.
This letter is of importance to the descendants of Juan Alfredo Robinson and other related surname descendants as it establishes some dates in Juan Robinson's life and corroborates, in conjunction with other correspondence, his style of life and the names of a few others of his contemporaries.
Note: All attempts were made to keep the punctuation and paragraph demarcation the same as the original. Due to the probable double translation, some of the phrasing seems awkward but does not appear to lose meaning. Names were not changed even though some of them were the Spanish version and more than likely were originally stated in the English version. Items in brackets [] are inserted by the editor where clarity seemed to require it.
[Beginning of Translation]: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New York, NY
February 13, 1834
My Dear Alfredo:
A long time has passed after you left our side and the letter that you have sent us from New Orleans; We had great anxiety and we even began to believe that you might have suffered some accident, and we were happy to know that you escaped something more serious ["hanging from the mastil"?]. It looks as though you are condemned to continually escape from the dangers be it on water or land and that seem to be part of you. Who would [have thought] that upon your arriving in New Orleans it would be snowing there. By way of Mr. Collis we learned that you left there the 18th of last month and we expect to receive news of your arrival in Matamoros safe and sound. I think that the journey to Matamoros is easier and more favorable. William Rodgers [1] was here a week ago and left Mama [9] well. Almy had another little girl, she is barely one month old and they named her Francisca Enriqueta, it must be for your wife. They say Enriqueta looks like me. I believe that you will not receive any news from them because they have lost the custom of writing. We will not see Mama until after the summer. I miss you more than you can possibly miss me. This winter has been hard and sad, I have been alone, without anyone to talk to or play [2] with owing to the times through which we are going, everyone is dispirited and I must feel the same way. However, we are all well, the children send their love my husband [3] would also send it if he had time.
I sent your gift to Maria [4] who by the way had another little girl. They as usual complain of the hard times. They tell me that Mr. Bours [5] is almost blind. I sent you a long letter by way of a ship that left for Veracruz, Mexico, the 5th of January. It is possible that when you arrive home you will receive it. I still wish to hear from you, and that you tell us if Carlotta [6] liked the pantalets and if Rachel [6] was able to use hers. Louy [7] told me that you had forgotten the tote that I gave you, I will keep it until you return, we absolutely will not use it. Your Broome friends were here on a visit, they always ask about you and send their regards.
And now my dear brother, the paper tells me that I should say good-bye, you must be tired of my long letter, but I believe that if it depends on me to keep the correspondence going, I will do it zealously. Give my love and kisses to you wife and children.
Your sister, Rachel Hartshorne Robinson [8]
[End of Translation]
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Editors notes:
[1] Almy is Juan's and Rachel's sister and William Rodgers is Almy's husband.
[2] The term "play" seems strange for an adult to use now, but it may have been related to Rachel and Juan's childhood relationship perhaps they played a musical instrument together, or a result of a double translation from a more common word or, the usage was different in those days.
[3] John Warren was Rachel's husband.
[4] Maria is probably Mary Walker Robinson who married W. Peter Bours.
[5] Mr. Bours must have been Mary Walker Robinson's husband as W. Peter Bours's father had died in 1815 at age 80 (per Craig Rice).
[6] Carlotta and Rachel were Juan's daughters by Francisca Ybarra.
[7] Louy may have been a reference to Rachel's daughter Mary Louise (per Craig Rice).
[8] Rachel may not have signed her full unmarried name as this original shows. Perhaps an earlier translator did this to more clearly identify the writer.
[9] Mama would have been Deborah Warne wife of Thomas (2) Robinson.
Note: For any comments regarding this letter please contact John Dumas at 1315 E. Av. R-5, Palmdale, CA 93550; phone: (661) 947-6639; email: john_dumas@yahoo.com.