Letters written by Edward Hardy

Santiago de Chile 25 October 1821

To

Mr Wm Hartnell

Dear Hartnell

Since my last I wrote before you sailed (enclosed in a letter to Mr Barnard) I have not had the pleasure of receiving any of your favours. I must say I was rather disappointed when I heard that Lovejoy was not coming in the House. He is at present in the City and is engaged as a Clerk to Cadir the Auctioneer at present, and as soon as he learns the Spanish language he will begin the business in the Port, he is in hopes of doing very well and I hope he may for he seems worthy of it. Since Mr Barnard came up from the Port we have all been very busy, what with letters and accounts etc. etc. etc. as usual I have had the least to do. I like Barnard better and better every day – but still I have my doubts remain – respecting him as you will recollect at the time when I was about to enter the Escolta Directorial --- no importa he is a very good fellow, and I like him. He has only raised my salary 5$. Lowe continues as usual, gains (I think) more favour, he is going to Valpo in a few days on a visit, to whom I know not.

In the last revolution in Juan Fernandez, Nicholas Carrera was killed in an attempt to get the government from Pallacio who was sent governor from Valpo.

I suppose you will have had the honour of a visit from Cruz the late Governor of Valpo before this reaches you – Zentono is at present governor of Valpo – Rodriguez is not in office at present – Vial is in his place and also is Minister de Guerra. The [?????] is finally condemned and it is said they will commence to sell her next week, the funds to be held by the Government until news from the British Government arrives. Your goods in my charge does not seem to go off well. I believe I shall be obliged to keep them for myself, as nobody will give near the worth of them. Should any letters arrive enclosed to your house in Lima for me I should be much obliged by your forwarding them as I have never yet had a letter from home.

Remember me to Mcculloh, Castro, and anybody else I know, not forgettinh yourself and I remain Dear Hartnell

Yours truly

Edward Hardy

Pena[?] is going to give a grand fete in the late House of John Horr[?] in the Tajamar[?], to commence at 9 a.m. Breakfast, Dinner ,Tea and Supper – changes of Shoes and Stockings for the [??????] - it was to have been yesterday but as it rained very [persistntly?] it is put off till the beginning of next week. We have got into the Sala[?] again, all the [?????]. Haigh[**] gone and left his washerwoman with child, so it is said, however it is true she ran away with a great many of his clothes before he went away and she could not be found – about a a day or two before he sailed Don Manuel took her in the street one night about 11 o'clock to the prison. The next day took her before the justice, when she said the reason for taking the clothes was that he had made use of her body and not paid her for it. Thinking he had got her with child and frightened that they would stop him before he got off to make him pay for it.

(Write me soon and a long letter. Do not forget)

[**Editor's Note – Samuel Haigh in his “Sketches of Buenos Ayres, Chile and Peru” wrote 'Having finished my affairs to my satisfaction, I resolved to return to England' and he states that he left Chile on the 10 October 1821 on board the Owen Glendower.]

Santiago de Chile 29 Jan 1822

Dear Hartnell

I was very sorry to hear that you have been so near death's door, but I can assure you I was not very much surprised, for when you were here, (and I hear you have been the same since) you were not one of the most abstemious from Spritious Liquors, from what you must have seen whilst here, Mr J Hodgson, ought to make you a little more careful – and altho' you may be able to drink only 5, 6 or 7 glasses a night without feeling intoxicated yet in time it will have effect on your constitution sooner or later, and will show itself one way or another, and besides from all accounts the climate where you are will not allow of your making as free as when you were here – let me persuade you to leave off and drink more moderate. Now my dear fellow I have written so far, and have read it over, I almost think you will be vexed at me and will say “damn him does he think that I am a fool, that I am not able to know what is right and what wrong”, but I hope you will not take it in that light, read it and consider that we are old friends and that we have lived together, and likewise drunk together.

I suppose you will have heard all about our old friend Lowe long before this reaches you – however I will give you a short history of the Case in few words.

He fell in love with Mrs Peters and was so attentive that Mr P. told him he was too much so – which made him so unhappy that some say that he shot himself.

The Mother of your intended wife is dead – so you see your friends drop off the stage. This will be delivered to you by Mr Wyld, who I recommend to your attentions he is a good sort of a fellow and I wish he could have remained here and the other that is here have come to you. He is good steady fellow, tho' he has begun to follow bad examples, such as smoking a great many cigars, tho' I believe not so many as you do. You ought to keeping steady as he is for if not he will very soon follow what he sees others do.

I really do not know what to do with your goods etc. as I cannot get rid of them at almost any price – but will do my best for you.

Winstanley's brother, I suppose will have reached you before now – he is a real Gringo – or [????], tho' I believe a good fellow, at least as far as I know – he will tell you all about poor Lowe. Mr B. goes to Valpo I believe on Thursday to dispatch the La Plata, [????? ????] a Arica o' a al Callao. Your Girl has often promised to write you but never yet have been so kind. You have now been a long time in Lima and have neither written to Lovejoy or to me – Pray write soon. How goes Miss Lynch, the famous Miss Lynch that you talked about so much here – give my respects to her.

Write me soon and a long letter

I remain Dear Hartnell

Yours truly

Edward Hardy