Here will follow the letters to which Henri Strauss refers in his letter to the editor. They are written by Simon Timmermans, Petronella Timmermans - Engels and Peter Engels, respectively son, niece and nephew of "Father" Mathis Timmermans from Horn.
Weekly Newspaper Mercurius, for Sittard, dated June 20, 1863
" Dearest Beloved Uncle and Aunt,
I have heard that you have the intention of coming to America which gives me great joy. But especially for your sons Simon and Matthijs this will be a great advantage to them; be strong and you will receive your reward from the Lord and us, Bring along enough meat, dry bread, flour, and a pan, and don't let anybody cheat you out of your money. French gold is very good; when you have paid for your trip hold on to the rest because you can pay with it everywhere. Concerning the workman, he can earn 60 thaler the first year and the next year up to 100. Please bring for our Katrijn and Nel each a shawl even if they cost 8 thaler, they are wrapped round one so they must be large, and also for Nel a brown merino dress, have it made after the size of Marie but a little larger it must be a winter cloth; bring a pair of pants for me with an elastic waist.
P. Engels
Many greetings to all, the whole family and especially my sister Klara Engels.
I, Petronella Timmermans, wife of Peter Engels, send many greetings to uncle and aunt and cousins; what joy that you come to America, what a joy it will be when you arrive here with us. Many greetings to all my sisters and brother and brother- and sisters-in-law, that I am still fit and healthy as are our children too.
Martinus Schreus' letter has not arrived and Jan Gubbels also wrote a letter. Many greetings from Lambert Luters and his wife and children, we have not been at J. Gubbels."
" Dearest Parents, Father, Mother, Brother and Siter-in-law,
Receiving your last letter has been great joy to us hearing that you are planning to come to America; what a great joy it will be seeing you again with my own eyes. So, dear parents, don't let people make you say that you were obliged to follow me, but that you want to come because it is so much better than in Europe, so stand firm and come to America. It will be a happy day when I see you, you will find a better living than in Horn, the food you earn in Horn is good enough for a dog that want you find over here; but bring along good clothes, these are very expensive over here at the moment, this because of the war. About the war we can only tell you what the newspapers tell us about it, many deaths and many wounded. Some say that the North is losing others say they are winning, that is all we know about it. A soldier that comes back doesn't know nothing either. Jan Gubbels has had a young son, Simon Hubertus, on February 20 and further we don't have much news, but we know all that is going on in Europe, we know that Wilm Vooje is beaten to death by three soldiers in Swalmen, time is to short, have to end with my pen but not with my heart and am looking forward to the happy day of your arrival.
Your son, Simon Timmermans "
" Dearest Father and Mother!
I wish you a Happy New Year and many more to come. I want to let you know that I am planning to get married, and than I can't come to Europe any more, than I hope that you will live your live in joy and believe in the Lord, that after spending our earthly live here, we can receive the eternal live. We are on this world for once and we will have to get through it, but how will those who will stay in Europe get through, they have to work like a donkey and eat like a pig. Over here in America you also have to work hard but you will receive human food for it, meat as much as one likes three times a day and good white bread, no one here has indigestion, have been at Stien and asked him if he still had indigestion; no he said, I cannot help asking you again father and mother to come to me; I, like a child at your feet, like the poor Lazarus at the feet of the rich screw, help my parents too out of the miserable Europe. But Father don't let it get too hard on you, it is not my will but Thy will be done. I have to end now with my pen but not with my heart I remain your sincere son
Simon Timmermans.
Wheat costs 1 ½ guilder a barrel, oats 87 cents a barrel, there is no (grain?) here, barley one guilder, buckwheat one guilder, potatoes one guilder, butter 38 cents a pound, eggs ……, a workman earns 50 to 65 francs and a maid 25 to 30 fr. In the summer, and in the winter a workman 20 to 30 francs and a maid 5 to 10 francs. I request of Kristiaan Hendriks to bring me a winter coat of 5 guilders per el, have him made after the size of Kristiaan but not smaller. A Happy New Year from Peter Engels to uncle and aunt and cousins. I hope you will listen to these words and will not act like those dumb animals who want to stay were they are raised, even if they drown or die of hunger. Show your fatherly blood and come to America, because we have to work as if we live forever, and live as if we could die tomorrow. I, Simon Timmermans, am the godfather of the child of Lambert Lutters and Petronella Timmermans is the godmother, and Martien also asked. All wish you good health and myna greetings to all friends and acquaintances. Our Petronel has been confirmed on November 20, 1862.
And you, brother, I let you know that I have thanked Jan Gubbels and Luters for their kindness, many greetings to uncles and aunt from me Petronella Timmermans, I am in good health better than I have ever been in Europe and I hope that you will come and visit me."