Letter
#53 to son Alex in Australia
Busby, 18th.Feb'y,
1861
My Dear Son,
So I am writing from Busby, again returned to our
starting place. And there will likely be three or four weeks' work at printing
old patterns; no cutting going on. Hugh Glen is in the cutting shop, doing odd
jobs and sometimes they cut a little for a London merchant. James Hall leaves
Busby and goes to America at £1000 per year it is said. Marsden is to succeed
him and one of Mr. Wakefield's sons comes to the colour house. Mrs. A. Wilson
has a daughter. Mr. Crum is to take down the lower mill and erect a larger one
in its place. A good number of his workers were, paid off on Saturday. Hugh
McLechtie began to clear the ground for his new store today. Dr. Ross had a
letter from John Buchanan. I have got small knowledge of its contents. He is
still in New Zealand and has been on a 4 months tour of discovery. Of Allan
Robertson and the Black Watch I have no remembrance. Allan was a common name
with the Robertsons and I have heard my grandfather discourse many a time about
the Black Watch.
I called at half a dozen shops in Glasgow for Grant's
book, without success. I wish to get the book to see if I could remember any of
the occurrences. I have not yet set about writing some notes of the Dicks and
the Robertsons, but I must have at it by and by. James Dick got into a mess
like yourself by lending money. He had to take the gentleman to court in
Dublin. The court decided in favour of James, but he was afraid the man would
fail. I will call on James first opportunity to see how he got on.
I had two letters last mail, one from you and one
from Jack. It is hard to say whether Australia or Scotland is the better
country for young men. It will be most unfortunate for William and you should
the Quartz claim at Moonlight turn out a Jack o' the Lantern. You have the
Havelock and a job to fall back on fortunately, but William will be at
beggary's door again. Jack gave some account of his journeys; they are rather
painful, too much risk in them for a little gold. But I hope he got a little
for his pocket on the Perseverance lead at Rutherglen. And I should think he
wont follow Wil o’ the Wisp so readily again.
We little dreamed when we set out for Australia
that 4 years would pass over their heads with results so little to their
advantage. They have battled steadily however, and they may triumph over
misfortune yet. I have not lost hopes of you all being first class gentlemen
yet. Industry and economy win. Peter Robertson has had fever and ague at the la
Plata, but he is mending. I have no doubt but you and your partners will do
some good when you begin business as you are all steady and experienced. I hope
Jack & William will be able to follow and turn out successful honest
merchants.
Trade has got a slight check with us in the
meantime, with the disturbance in America. It is said Mr. Crum has postponed
commencing the building of his new mill for three months on that account. There
is a fear that the supply of cotton may be cut of. Our latest news do not
denote a peaceful settlement.
I have sent a paper every week and as you will
otherwise see the Queen's speech and all the news I need not go over them here.
Lord John Russell has gained fresh laurels from the manner he watched the
various phases of the Italian war. John is match for Napoleon. Our ministers
wont try a Reform bill this year. We have some ill made up members in our assembly as well as you.
You still cherish the idea of getting me out to
Australia again and setting me in a
brick house. If you had anything of consequence for me to do it might be
alright, but brick houses are not cheap and to invest, in one merely to accomodate me would be very imprudent, I doubt.
I do not fancy you rich enough for that step yet, but let us say 'There's a
good time coming'.
Aunty is still moving about and at the caps with
Annie, but the caps are scarce. Alex'r is in
a shop at 15/- per week. D. Maxwell
and family all well. Cordale printers are slack. Ferryfield works 4 days a
week. Dalmonach company keep 7 cylinders idle. I hear no word of shawl printing
reviving. William Moody is quite stout to appearance. I have had little
discourse with old acquaintances; we do not happen to meet.
I lodge with Jean Cunningham. My side still troubles me. It is the spot
that was hurt in the ship, but the work is not heavy and I can manage it quite
well. Expecting better news from Australia in a day or two,
I remain, your affectionate Father,
Alex'r Dick.
Names & Notes on Letter
#53
Hugh Glen
James Hall
Marsden
Mr. Wakefield
Mrs. A. Wilson
Mr. Crum
Hugh McLechtie
Dr. Ross
John Buchanan
Allan Robertson
Grandfather Robertson
James Dick
Peter Robertson
Lord John Russell
Mary, Annie & Alex'r Russell
D. Maxwell
William Moody
Jean Cunningham
- transcription and
Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989 (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on
paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies
which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)
Scans
of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger file):
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