2 St. Johns Terrace,
Auburn Street,
Dublin,
Nov. 3^rd, 1890

My dear Mary [1] ,

I write to tell you that I am about going to New York. I am offered a situation in a solicitors office at a moderate salary until I learn something of American Law. I [entered] going on the 28 Nov. My passage will be paid by my friend. Don’t let anyone know of this my [more] not even George [2] or his [___] wife. I am very glad to let you know that communication between me & the woman who beguiled me [3] has ceased since Xmas last & that was the last time I saw her. God knows I had suffered terribly these last two years. I deserved it all!! I must have been mad, but whiskey does not enter my lips now. Glad I shall be to get away for this has been a Hell on Earth to me. I do wish I never had been so madly [templed] & hope it is not too late for repentance & I hope the new life will give me stronger courage & resolution. I have sold my office furniture & [given] it up. I called some time ago at 46 Upper Sackville [__] but could get no intelligence of the children [4] . I would wish to see them before going away. I hope they are well. Before I leave I want & wish you to get my Clock. Ellen Kennedy [5] left it in Wm. Warwick’s [6] when my house was broken up. I would wish you as my only sister to have it. This as you know an old family heirloom & valuable & would not therefore like it to be out of our family. I do hope you will take it & keep it for the sake of the unfortunate sender. If so I shall send you a letter (for Dr. W.) to give it to him requesting him to deliver the Clock to you. I hear Mrs. Warwick [7] is not better & Will [8] away from home. I have also a most beautiful book with 24 Chromo Lithographs of Windsor Castle & vicinity published in 1840 at £4.4.0. It’s now [_____] & what remains are worth four or five times this amount. I want you to have this also. It’s in pawn but I will send it to you before I leave. If you wish to have it as it is no use to me. I am badly in need of underclothing &c & my great coat is also in Pawn for 3[?] – which through distress of times I was compelled to dispense with & cold weather is now in & the voyage before me I am compelled to ask Jim [9] for a cheque for £4 to pay for above things & necessary inner clothing. For any sake send me what I want at present & it is I promise Jim the last time I shall ever annoy Jim again. Send it by registered Letter if possible. On hearing from you I shall send Jim a letter to Dr. Warwick to give Jim the clock & also send Jim the book named. I really cannot sail in the undergarments I have as they are disreputable. Do not be angry with me. I have done with all [____] in Belfast & hope never to see it again. I have got a little assistance from [___] friends. “[__] relations”. For any sake do not let any one know of this letter.

I hope you are all quite well. I trust Jeannie [10] is all right.

Hoping to have a letter in reply by return I am my dear Mary.

Your affectionate brother,
John Coulter [11] .

Mrs. Gardiner,
Annvale House,
Keady,
Co. Armagh

PS. Excuse writing as I have a bad pen.