Chapter 7

Summary

[Following up on his plans, discussed above, to go into partnership with his brother, Salter writes in his diary]:

The writer leaves for St. John via Newport [taking some time off at home]. Arrives, commences business on 4th September, 1841 with brother George. His friends — Honorable J.S.B, and W.J.S. fail in business among some dozens of others about this time. Sells the Brig Emily, freight, and chronometer at sea - in good time.

NOTICE OF PARTNERSHIP - George & Joseph Salter - Sept. 16, 1841 [from the Nova Scotian, 16 September 1841]

George Salter having this day taken into co-partnership his brother Joseph Salter of Halifax, N.S. the commission of general business (erenow) conducted by the former, will in future be conducted by them under the firm of G. & J. Salter and from their knowledge of local and foreign business they feel confident they can give satisfaction to those who may patronize them.

[Joseph Salter neglected his journal for several months “in consequence of sickness, failures, fires, and consequent hard times.” He continues -]

Burnt out 15th. November, our store having been situate[d] on the South Wharf. Since then times have been tough enough. We have weathered so far and if we can only “fetch where we look” shall remove to a new store on the old stand on or about 10th of present month of March 1842 — where the writer intends to get aboard his land tacks and his yards well braced for a long board — having got in irons and been boxed off to very little purpose at sea through better than five long and trying years and now —

“Speed, speed my fleet vessel (quill)

Oh! Ask me not whither - my home is the world. “

The fact is, I am taking a Miramichi spell — i.e. “knocked off work, and commenced pileing deal.“

1841 has been a year by itself! And many will long remember it. However, we may as well laugh as cry. I have many times wished since I came here, that I was again in Sierra Leone, even with its accompaniment, fever and ague. So it may be judged whether I have had a bed of roses.