Letter from William Swett, 24 November 1849
Buffalo
Dear Br Woodruff sir
Having a little Leisure at this time as the Boat
stops here untill eve, and perhaps untill morn
as the lake appears quite Rough to day I will
proceed to give some little account of my Journey
thus far I left New York the same evening you
did in the steamer Rip Van-Wincle a very fine
fast running Boat we had a fine pleasant time
arrived in albany at 5 oO clock next morning, not
having time to get my tickets exchanged in season
to take the six O clock train of cars I was detained
untill 12 at noon when I took the cars for Buffalo
oweing to the large amount of freight and passengers
we were untill 2 O clock the next day to Buffalo
making 26 hours Having got my tickets for Boat
and Railroad at this place. I am now waiting to
cross the lake to Sandusky and then to take the
Rail Road to cincinnati which will be accomplished
in less than 2 days from this place if nothing
befalls us to hinder our course. I think this is the
Best and fastest line at present I think you
will find our C. W. Bush the Agent at N. Y.
to be an honerable man and what ever agreement
is made with him I think may be relied upon
the rest I will not say as much about you will find
it for your advantage to have all the particulars
concerning any contracts to be sepecified in writing
^such as amount to go free and How much per 100 for extra baggage^
as men will seek to take every possible advantage
sure bind sure find I think the Brethren in the spring
will be able to get a cheap and Quick passage
through this line st Louis which will be much
better than to drag along 3 or 4 weeks
I learn from the captain of this Boat that
the cars run from sandusky to Cincinnati in
12 hours making from B[uf]falo to cincinnati 32 hours
