Letter #15 to son Alex in Australia
Busby, Dec.3lst. 1854
My Dear Son,
I hope you are still hale and hearty &
brilliant dreams of the future flitting across you mind now & then. And
though the aspect of affairs in Victoria is not so very pleasing Sept.7th yet there is no reason why sweet anticipations
should not be indulged. My letter of 24 April went with Anne Cairns so she had
your direction. I hope you have got your neck kerchief not for its worth it
cost 6/6d but for remembrance. Anne called on Jeannie Wilson and gave her what
things she had for her and told she was engaged with the gentleman that
superintends the asylum for homeless emigrants in Melbourne. Anne was to leave
your neckcloth with Mr. Allan. Save newspapers you need not now care about she
had nothing else for your hand. She was well paid for her trouble.
I wrote you by the July mail as well as W. Moody
and I trust you got it. It would perhaps take your post office clerks a few
days to sort all the letters. In it I had put the question Will we all sail for
Geelong in May and I expected the question answered by this time. However from
the tone of your letters and others the time does not appear to be fitting for
emigrating and we will abide by what you say. Your letter to W. Moody arrived
before mine per 'Croesus'. Wm. sent me a note. Falling wages tell an emphatic tale. David got yours per
'Swarthmore' at last postage 2/-. The
one per 'Croesus' was 8d. We do not know the reason of the difference. Alpine's
wife has brought him ane fine lassie. Danel Cameron is very poorly to all appearance dying of consumption. Block printing is
very dull. Colinslie Company has failed. Printing jaconets with Madder colours
is the chief employment for the cylinders at Busby. The new Lomndon print shop
is being converted into a house for hanging the aforesaid jaconets in. A number of our printers
are at other jobs some of them breaking stones.
I am still in constant employment but unless trade
mends I cannot expect to be continued much longer. William Wilson and his
sister sailed in the 'James Baines' for Melbourne. Young John McCubbin sailed
for Sidney in the 'Nepaul'. Two marriages on Friday. Duncan Roy had a daughter
married. We had a visit from Annie Russell. Camlachie folks are just getting on as usual. I
intend to see James Dick one of these days. I have not seen him for some time.
Joseph Docherty was to write you. He was poorly some time but he is now
mending.
Jack & William are still Wrights and stout
chaps. George Alexander delivered a discourse in Busby Church tonight. He has to attend college another
season yet. The war with Russia still goes on. Sebastopol is a tougher job than
was expected. More men and stores are being sent out. A copy of Loyal Peter's Gazette accompnies this letter. James Wilson has commenced shop keeping
sells for ready money only. He is still at work. His daughter is to be
shopkeeper.
William Donald is still thriving in America. He has bought more land feeds great numbers of
swine & cattle. I cannot call to mind any farther worth mentioning. Agnes
Munn is still a spinster. She was enquiring for you the other day and sends her
compliments. Mr. Henderson of Carmunnock died and we have a Mr. Story in his
place a popular young man.
Tomorrow begins another year and though a large
number in Busby will have ample funds for enjoying themselves our cutters have
had a poor year. But this I think has been the worst year
for block printers in Busby I remember of all. de Laine and shawl shops have
had little to do. The cylinders are taking the de Laines out of our hands and
the prospects of many for the new year are gloomy enough and no appearance of
our markets coming down. The handloom weavers too are very slack. The power
looms are likely to take all sorts of fabrics out of their hands.
John &.
William join me in wishing you a happy new year. May the blessing of God be
with us all. May his holy spirit be shed upon us. Of Mclntyre and Kinlock we
have had no word for some time last word they were at the diggings. All our
correspondents about Melbourne are complaining. Mr. Mclndoe, the farmer had
gained golden opinions from all sorts and £30 were raised to make him a
present. William Wilson too got a Gold Watch partly
at his own expense, his friends contributed the greater part. I will write by
the February mail. I wrote in July, August, September and October. This goes by
the ‘Lightening' on the 5th. I sent two newspapers by the 'James Baines'.
I would fain hope we will hear of matters mending in Australia. But I
cannot see how all the emigrants that are to be employed unless the lands are
sold as in Canada. May Grace, mercy and peace be with us,
I am
your affectionate
Father,
Alex'r Dick
Names & Notes on Letter #15
Anne Cairns
Jeannie Wilson
Mr. Allan
Wm. Moody
'Croesus'
David (Alexander?)
'Swarthmore"
Alpine
Danel Cameron
Colinslie Co.
William Wilson & sister
'James Baines'
John McCubbin
'Nepaul'
Duncan Roy
Annie Russell (Niece)
James Dick (Cousin)
Joseph Docherty
George Alexander
James Wilson
William Donald
Agnes Munn
Mr. Henderson
Mr. Story
Mclntyre
Kinlock
Mr. Mclndoe
'Lightening'
- transcription
and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989
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