Although I have access to copies of Alex's journals from Australia, I don't have the first book which describes the uprising. I hope to post some transcriptions of excerpts from the journals when all Alkex snr's letters are published... so maybe the first journal may turn up.
Alex snr's May letter also has quite a bit of local and general news. I don't seem to have the matching envelope.
Letter #18 to son Alex in
Australia
Busby, May 31st. 1855
My Dear Son,
I have received two letters from you since my last and W. Moody sent me
one he had got. I hope the fighting and the fighting spirit are ended and that
no danger of that sort will come your way again. The earnest way I wrote in of
going to Australia has drawn from you a somewhat reluctant invitation. I was anxious we should all go out as we thought a
slight practice at the wright trade was all that was required in Australia and
we had a notion you would turn wright too. The boys, your brothers, are
disposed to learn their trade to some perfection. We are highly gratified at your
remembrance of us and your kindness in sending your money, albeit your own
circumstances are not too promising, if I can get employment through the summer
we dont go out. But if I am thrown entirely idle, no prospects of keeping
myself, it is likely we will avail ourselves of your generosity and sail. But
you will have warning.
I had a letter from Wm. Donald. He is doing well and he thinks America
is a better country to go to than Australia. A pretty sure sign he is pleased.
There has been some stir a blocking in Busby these few months and it is not by
yet. I have been constantly employed since last. John went to Govan, he gets 9/- per week. William is in
the Gallowgate and gets 10/- .They are employed at house work. William lodges
in Alex'r Russell's land. Our new water wheel is started and promises to be
worth the outlay, say £1800. The cylinders are pretty fairly employed at both
steam & Madder work. We have only one drawer, T McEwan, and very little
cutting. Cunningham Gray is cutting at Kilmarnock. Colinslie Company has failed
again and the same company will not begin again. Hugh Miller, your old master,
married a grand daughter of Jas. Galt's. He now has two children. Joseph Collingwood,
Matt Riley & Alex'r Letham are soldiers and Henry Stewart, Jas. Freel, D. Loudfoot
died of fever. Trade is generally dull and provisions high. Shipbuilding is
brisk. A fleet has got to the Baltic again. Some Russian ships, merchantmen,
are taken. Whether the Admiral will content himself with a blockade or give
some of the fortresses a treat to boot is not known. Sebastopol is still far
from being reduced. But the supplies are being more & more cut off and
famine and want of material may cause the Russians to give in and bring about a
treaty of peace, that consummation devoutly to be wished for.
My friend, Mr. Geo. Richardson, offered me a recommendation to Mr. McAdam
in the event of me going to Australia. Mr. McAdam was a lecturer in Glasgow and
also in the Mechanic's institutions in the neighbourhood. He is on his way to Australia to take the situation of Professor of
Chemistry in Melbourne college. You will seal the accompanying note and deliver
it personally if you see fit. I hope your prayer will be granted that you will
not require to take to the roads or the hod again. When you see the country in
that state again that your brothers
will be sure of a job at the wright trade and good wages, give the hint, we are off.
Jack & William are both quite brisk and hearty at the wright trade, it is
better than cutting though there was no intention of going to Australia and they are in hopes it will not be
long till you order them peremptorily. They would like to see Sandy again. I
did not write with Mr. Wilson, he was longer in going away than I expected, but
you should have a letter on the 1st.Nov. before he arrived. David Alexander
writes you by this mail and I send a paper. Mr.& Mrs. Sloan sailed for
Melbourne in the 'Lord Warriston’ a
short time ago. Report goes that he has gone out in consequence of his agent not remitting so much money as he
expected.
We have had a cold winter and we have a cold spring with frosty nights,
so vegetation is far back. I must notice one short sentence in your last. It says "you say other
people send better news than I do". I cannot remember writing anything in that strain and in writing instances of your acquaintances succeeding to keep
your spirits and my own up. I never supposed you would imagine we considered
your news aught but genuine. We believe you have conducted yourself with spirit
& with judgement and written with candor and we are proud &. pleased.
Till matters mend in Australia
we are better at house notwithstanding the eminent success of G. Mains & J
Leckie &c.&c.
I hope your industry and perseverance will meet with a flattering reward
and you will be written of as one that fought conquered difficulties
successfully in Australia.
I am ever,
Your Affectionate Father,
Alex'r Dick
My next in by the mail 5th.Aug't.
Names & Notes on Letter
#18
W. Moody
Wm. Donald
Alex'r Russell
T. McEwan
Cunningham Gray
Colinslie Company
Hugh Miller
Jas. Galt
Joseph Collingwood
Matt Riley
Alex'r Letham
Henry Stewart
Jas. Freel
D. Loudfoot
Mr. Geo. Richardson
Mr. McAdam
Mr. Wilson
David Alexander
Mr. & Mrs. Sloan
'Lord Warriston'
G. Mains
J. Leckie
- transcription
and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989
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