cams_fhrussel_b012_f004_003_01

Brig Osceda at Sea Lat [Latitude] 23.3° South Lon [Longitude] 41.9°

March 4th 1849

Dear Friend

Not knowing how long we will
remain in Rio Janeiro [Rio de Janeiro] our next stopping place.
I thought I had better give you an account of our
journey thus far. We left Philadelphia Jan 16th on
board the Brig Osceola Capt Fairfowl with Sixty
six [Sixty-six] passengers nine of which were from Lancaster.
In consequence of the ice being very thick in the river
we wase [was] unable to go farther than New Castle Del. [Delaware]
the first day. It being the last night we expected
to be on shore for forty or fifty days we thought
we had better have a jolification [jollification] in the way of
a dance. So all hands went a shore [ashore] formed a
procession headed by the Bugle Bango [Banjo] Violin &
we proceeded up town and engaged a room for the
purpose. After making some necessary arrangements
we proceeded and I can asure [assure] you it was one of
the greates [greatest] nights Sixty men ever past [passed]. After which
we returned to the Brig perfectly delighted with the long
to be remembered danc [dance] at New Castle.

We left next morning and proceeded as far as
the Brakewater. It being very stormey [stormy] we wher [were] obliged
to remain there untile [until] next day at noon.

I being a perfect land lubber began to feel the efects [effects]
of sea sickness and for ten day after you never
saw a sicker fellow than I was.