Transcribed from the 2 July 1822 edition of The Strabane Morning Post, by permission of The British Library: A Convict[']s Letter to his Wife. The following is an authentic copy of a genuine letter sent by a convict to his wife, now a prisoner in Armagh:-- June the 2d, 1822. Dear Elonir--I received your last letter, dated the 21st of March, and my reason for not answering it was wating to I would have a full account of what would happen to me; but now I can inform you that I am on board the convict ship in the Cove of Cork, bound for Botany Bay, which I am not sorry at; all that grieves me is the parting of you, and I would give all ever I seen to have you transported along with me. When your time is up, my advise to you is to not leave the town of Armagh to you will do something that will have you sent after me; you will have my blessing night and morning if yo do that--and as Ireland has turned out so bad, and nothing but hunger and hardship to it, you need not be sorry to lave it. Thanks be to God, my mind was never contenter in my life, for my hart is broke with confinement, and I have every promise to do well when I reach the other side. The ship I am in has the best comendations for pashaners, and is kept so clane that is a pleasure to be in her; and the different officers on board gives every well behaved man heer every indulgence. We are trated very well in regard of alowance, and will be better when we set out to sail. I dont expect to get as much hardship to I gow to Botney Bay as I get coming from Dublin heer. Dont be afraid of not seeing me when you reach the other side; but if you wish to come, mind the ship's name, and the time that I was sent away, and the Governor, when you reach the other side, will have you sent to me. There is one hundred and ninety convicts to gow over in this ship, forby sum gentlemen and ladys that is paying there passage, and is in a part of the ship buy themselves. Write to me as fast as you get this, for I think that we will not sail to there will be an answer back; and give my love to Robert Boulter, and send an other letter with him to the other side. Give me all you know. No more from your loving husband to death. Direct your letter as followes: To the care of Mr. Sargent, bord of the Mangles, Cove of Cork for ---, convict from the county Tyrone. My blessing and God's blessing be with you and remain with you to I have the pleasure of seeing you in the other side. I will direct all my letters that I will send to you to the care of Jas. Robison, Monaghan. =====================