There are 2 envelopes with a May postmark: one was sent from Busby, evidently by Alexr snr; the other was sent from from Geelong, Victoria (so must have been sent to Alex by a friend in Australia), but it is the February envelope from Busby which has been turned inside-out and re-used by someone in Geelong. There was a note in the first envelope (possibly from Wm Moodie, who sent other letters), so I've scanned it and included it also.
Letter #25 to son Alex in
Australia
Busby 16th. May, 1856
My Dear Son,
Since my last of 1st. April we received yours of 6th. January. Your
continued misluck and the way you spoke of us coming out made up our minds to
apply for free passages. The papers were sent Glasgow on Wednesday and as all
the persons about Busby that applied for passages got them, we have no doubt
but we will be sent out too to Portland Bay. It may however be some months before
we leave, but until you hear farther from us it will be unnecessary to adress a
letter to us. We will write as soon as we are informed that we are to sail.
I had a note from Wm. Moody the other week giving a sketch of a letter
he had from you. A little luck at the gravel pits had happily revived your
spirits and enabled you to resist an offer of £90. Good, and besides you expect
to be rich by the end of the year - all right you are cheerful once more. McIntyre
is at Ballarat. I was at Leven on Saturday and I saw his mother. Leven friends
are all well and nothing particular has ocurred amongst them, it is a pity of
Wm. Steven’s affliction. He is a decent lad. And Robina Veitch has arrived, her
friends had a letter last week. Neil Mclnnes sailed on the 6th.May in the
'Lightning'. He goes to his father in law at Mount Alexander. David had a paper from you on
Tuesday. He looks as if he enjoyed somewhat good health now. William works
journeyman and has 22/- per week. Jack was a short time with ___(?) Greenock
journeyman too & 22/- likewise. He was discharged last Saturday along with many
others.
The Ferryfield masters had a shop burned lately and Jack is at the
refitting of it. Annie Russell has got learned to make bonnets for boys and she
has begun to try to make a living by it. Sandy is still in the grocer's shop
and Aunty is going about. I have not heard that she has got her money yet, but
I do not expect any of my £15. Busby masters are still building. The road to
the stuff house will now be betwixt the Cart and the London shop and the square
formed by the Glasgow, London & old London shops and the lead is nearly
occupied by bleaching and Madder dying. I do not remember any other
intelligence about our village worth putting down, hints from John Leckie
notwithstanding. Peter Robertson does not speak of trying Australia now. He is looked
on as contented with 25/- in Glasgow. Of course you will have notice with John
Leckie as chief of the clan what we are to try and turn our hands too on our
arrival, but more of this again.
Peace, peace has been proclaimed. I send a paper every other week so you
already have the joyful news. 22000 killed by famine & disease and the
enemy. £150 000 000 wasted of Britain's own and as usual, at the end of a war,
the results are in miserable disproportion to the loss. No wonder we had a
numerous and influential peace party at home. And Italy, Rome are now thought
of. Byron's Stanzas are still appropo and as I promised a bit of poetry I copy
them
— (here follows two verses of
poetry).
I have looked in vain for the pleasures of hope to indulge in transcribing
a bit of Burns and Ossian. Can I find? I suppose Jack & William have taen
them with them. In turning over an old collection for something to write, I saw
what we might call a digger's hymn.
(Here follows a dozen or so lines
from a hymn).
So I give up quotations for this time,
expecting to have something better in my next. But perhaps
books are plentiful at the diggings now and you are laughing at my ignorance of the fact. Well a
little time (I hope) will clear up all and make us knowing as you are. I expect the note of
preparation will be sounded in my next.
books are plentiful at the diggings now and you are laughing at my ignorance of the fact. Well a
little time (I hope) will clear up all and make us knowing as you are. I expect the note of
preparation will be sounded in my next.
I am, Your Affectionate
Father,
Alex'r Dick
Names & Notes on Letter #25
Wm. Moody
David (Alexander ?)
Mc Intyre
Annie & Sandy Russell
& Aunty
Wm. Stevens
River Cart
Robina Veitch
Peter Robertson
Neil Mc Innes
John Leckie
'Lightning'
- transcription
and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989
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