Larkin Index

The Larkin Papers
Vol 1, pg. 50

Letter to Andrew Johnstone in Oahu from Larkin
(excerpts)
Material in italics added by me. Misspelled words not corrected.

In 1840 Larkin sent his six year son, Oliver, to Oahu to be schooled by Johnstone. He and his wife were the first teachers at the Oahu Charity School. There will be other letters from Thompson and Oliver on his education. in the Sandwich Islands..

Monterey August 27th 1840

Dear Sir 

    By Capt. Curtis Clapp of Ship Alciope, I send you my eldest child Oliver, (he is seven years old April the 13th 1841) for the purpose of putting him under your charge and schooling.
    I am not sure that your situation will allow of your taking Oliver the day or week of his arrival. I have therefore the promise of Capt. John Paty that Mrs. Paty will take care of him in mean time until you can make room for him. I am in hopes you can receive him direct from the ship.
    Capt. Wilson has informed me you have plenty of room for a few boys from this Coast, and are anxious to have them sent to you. Mr. Parker is also of this opinion. It will be very unfortunate if it is otherwise, as there are six boys from eight to eleven years of age going to you by Captn Paty's barque sons of Messrs. Spence, Watson, Kinlock, Wilson and Fitch.
    Its my wish that Oliver should go direct from Captn Clapp to you and there remain. Its also my wish that you should treat him & school him in company with Mrs. Johnstone, in the same manner as if he was your son, without saying or thinking what would his Father or Mother do in this or that case. When we know you have received him on these term, myself and wife will be satisfied with his duties and situation. I think the child is small to send so far, but Capt H. Paty says you wished that Pacheco had been younger.
    I hope Mrs. Johnstone & yourself  will bear with the trouble he will be to you. I intended to keep him another year but he has learnt so little english that I cannot talk with him as I would to do.... (Oliver was more proficient in Spanish.) 
    I send by Mr. Benjamin Parker, one hundred dollars in money, and wish you would use it as the wants of the child may require in board, clothes, schooling &c. and by the next vessel inform me his yearly expences, a little more or less, that I may keep you in funds....
    Your taking charge of the children going from this country will be a great benefit to them and you will confer a great favour on the parents as they cannot be educated here.
    Mrs. Larkin sends  for Mrs. Johnstone's acceptance some cheese and whortleberry preserves.
    I must now close, and pray that my child may so prosper, under your charge that through God's mercy, he may grow up under the fear of his maker, I am with much respect Yours

                    Thomas O. Larkin

Monterey, September 4, (12 oclock in the morning, 1840)
The Ship Alciope, Captain Curtis Clap, sailed this day,  for Oahu Sandwich Islands, stopping at Santa Barbara & San Diego for hides, with passengers:

Benjamin W. Parker for Oahu
Thomas O. Larkin jun. for Oahu
A. B. Thompson for Santa Barbara
James Burke for Santa Barbara

At 2 o clock the ship went out of sight from the house with a good wind.¹

¹The notes following the signature were added after the original was given to Benjamin Parker, who sailed on the ship.         

The ship Alciope, 377 tons, was built in 1837 in Salisbury, Massachusetts. 

Larkin Index