In 1849 the Irish Emigrant Society of New York published an "Address to the People of Ireland" warning them not to believe the wild tales of easy fortunes to be had in America: "We desire, preliminarily, to caution you against entertaining any fantastic idea, such as that magnificence, ease, and health, are universally enjoyed in this country... It is natural for persons who have adventured to leave home and to seek their fortunes in a foreign and distant country to give highly coloured accounts of a success, which is reality, has been but the obtaining of a laborious employment;..."