1849 Letter from Francis Hulman

Francis Hulman and brother Deitrich had been in the United States for a few years and saw great potential in this new country. In 1849 while working at a business in Cincinnatti, Ohio, Francis Hulman sent a letter to his brother Herman in Germany. He wrote about setting up a new business in Indiana, the advantages of living and working in the new country, and implored young Herman to join him in America. Following are excerpts from the original letter, dated November 10, 1849:

"We have chosen a place called TERRA HAUTE, three hundred miles west of here in the State of Indiana. This is a place of about 6,000 inhabitants, very well laid out, flourishing and growing rapidly, in a clean and healthy location. Besides this, the territory is rich with wealthy farmers in the surrounding country and beautiful prairies . . .

. . . O Herman! Herman! Follow my advice. There is still time! You will lead an entirely different life, be a different person, a free man, independent, and a republican who is conscious of his worth and dignity as a man. In this free and happy America, poverty and ignorance do not reign, one can express his opinion freely, and there is no censorship. The laws are good and wealth and well-being reign everywhere. . .

. . . You will eat and drink whatever you wish, with no strong master and no fury to embitter your life. You will be free and independent, your own master. You can act freely in every respect as it becomes a man, without interference (as a republican). ... Instead of poverty, misery, and disagreeableness, you will spend your life in happiness, well-being, rest, and contentment. What a difference!

Herman Hulman kept this letter for four years before joining Francis in Terre Haute in 1854. He was 24 years old.