F&M 6/V/2/12 1860
08 21 WR to ER Honolulu
Honolulu August 21, 1860
My Dear Elly
The summer has been so hot and the town so dull, that
everybody who could leave it for a jaunt has done so – and among others,
Rebecca and Mrs. Bishop went off in the Steamer last week on a visit to Hilo
& the Volcano of Kilauea on Hawaii; Bishop could not leave his business,
and I could not very well go, on account of my leg so they, with two young
ladies of Mrs. Bishops connection went on their own hook, and will have a very
good time of it no doubt. I went
to the Volcano in 1852 – and had I accompanied them to Hilo, should have
had to remain in the village while they ascended the mountain as I cannot ride
horseback. As this would have been
dull times for me, I preferred to remain here, and take a tour around the
Island as far as the road permit the passage of a wagon. Tomorrow, I set out, in a light [dearborn]
with one Companion, a very pleasant
youth and shall be absent a week or ten days.
The mail for the U.S. will probably leave while I am gone,
and I write this note to be forwarded by it – Rebecca will hardly get a
letter off by it for her father and you had best write to Mr. Krug as soon
as you get this to tell him why his usual letter is [ for ] may not be forthcoming. I had a note from Rebecca from Lahaina
with the gratifying intelligence, that the night had been so smooth, she had
been but slightly sea sick; and gone ashore at Sunrise & enjoyed a walk
about the town & was having a nice breakfast on terra firma.
I suppose she will remain at Hilo, until about the last of
the month, when the steamer will return there -- and give them an oppy. to come
home, if they are ready, If they are very much pleased there, they may remain
longer.
I read in the San Fran papers of Jno Reynolds arrival there
about the middle of July in Company with Geo Harvey & others & I
suppose he went on to New York, with the party, as two vessels have sailed for
here, since that, and did not bring either John or a letter from him. What a dreadful fellow he is, not to
write one, at such times. I wrote to
him long ago – and hope he recąd
the letter. I do not consider the fact of my not
having a reply as at all indicative that my letter failed to reach him –
I have no doubt he got it.
I shall leave a note for him and have provided quarters for
him should he happen to come, whilst I am gone on my trip – if he is to
come, it will be just like him, to come thus unannounced, and to come when both
Becky & I are away.
I had a letter from Com. Smith by the last mail, in which he
says. łthe new pay bill cuts your (me) off from any increases of pay.˛ And I
very much fear his intelligence correct, as he is in the Spot, & is apt to
be well informed on all such matters.
Cap Bailey had written me, that the bill had been amended to
allow Retired Officers when employed the same pay as their grade on the active
list; and my delight had been great at the prospect of an increase to my
income. But now instead of an
increase, I expect to have to submit to a decrease and instead of getting $1500
per an. fall down to $1200, the pay of a retired Lieut.
This will be a very serious reduction for us & I very
much doubt if we shall be able to live here upon what is left. We will try it however.
I was intending
to treat myself to a new coat & some new shirts, but must forego such
expenditures for the present; the latter items however I must have ere long, as
my home made supply, is nearly used up, after nearly five years wear, and well
they may be. If both of us, had
not been most miraculously careful of our wardrobes we should be bare or
beggars by this time.
I have been unusually busy today, in preparing for my jaunt
– it is now ten pm & I have my trunk to pack.
So
with much love to you all
I
am ever affectionaly
Your
William
Miss Elly Reynolds
1829 Spruce Street
Philad
We have had teleg dates of
July 26th announcing arrival of Prince of Wales in [ ]