Alexr Dick _Letter No. 35_ from Ballarat/Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1858

Alexander Senior has seen his sons make a start on their new life in Victoria, Australia, but has found no viable position for himself (and the weather disagrees with him) so has decided to go back to Scotland.

Letter #35 to son Alex in Geelong

                                           Ballarat, July 4th. 1858

My Dear Son,

Another act of the drama about to close. The house is sold for £20. William & Robert Marshall are putting up a tent on Bakery Hill today. I visited Mrs. Murdoch (Tilda Moore) yesterday. She is about to remove to the Muddy Water Holes near Lethbridge; they are just making a living.

I will visit Mr. & Mrs. King and then set out, so I may be expected down by Thursday probably. I will likely have 10 or 12£ with me.

William & Robert Marshall came in from Bullarook on Thursday to buy some clothes. They had gold with them they sold for £30/12/-, so they had not done out so bad the last few weeks. They got it in an old hole. They set out again tomorrow.

The case against J. Hunter is given to Mr. Walsh. He says the mining board are very wroth about the judges decision in the Neshaw case and they are speaking of getting the law altered. He says he has no doubt but the decision will be in your favour.

The Old Gravel Pits is doing better; they have got the debt all paid, they had £3/16/- last week. John King's party has broken up and selling off the horse and dray.

John and a few more have sunk a hole and they will know in a few days whether it will pay or not. Jack remitted £4 to John last week.

I will look out at Mr. Slater's for a dray man going down and direct the chest to you.

And so I proceed to old Scotland again, somewhat reluctantly no doubt but I think it the best I can do and so I must bid you all farewell.

Your Affectionate Father

Alex'r Dick.

                             Melbourne, Thursday (8 Jul?)

My Dear Son,

I have paid my passage by the Agincourt so I will expect you on Saturday. The chest must be
here on Monday at farthest, perhaps you may bring it with you. Your friend D. Tweedie is with
me. So good by at present,                                      Your Affectionate Father,

Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #35

Robert. Marshall

Mrs. Murdoch (Tilda Moore)

Mr.& Mrs. King

J. Hunter

Mr. Walsh

Neshaw

Mr. Slater

D. Tweedie

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989

Scans of the original letter (click on the thumbnail below for a larger image):