Description Letter from Duncan Maxwell dated 1833

Mr. William Maxwell

To the care of Rev. Dr. Ross

Lochbroom by Dingwall, Rosshire

 

Parish of Strachan, Bridge of Dye

8^th May 1833

 

Dear father and mother with brothers and sister,

Hoping this will find you all in health as I and my brother is at present God be thanked.  I have received yours upon the 4^th dated 16^th April which put me in a great uneasiness to hear of your distressed circumstances.  I have seen my brother upon the morning afterwards and made known to him all the contents.  He is engaged until Martimis so he can say nothing about going to America and as for myself I can say little about it.  As for your going with your weak family as far as I can understand there is nothing to be gotten there by with hard labour which I am sure is too hard for you to endure and as for coming to this part of Scotland there is work to be got an better wages that what is in the north of Scotland for young men that is fit to stand it but you will or must understand that they are as sair* wrought for it.  You would not get the grass of a cow here summer and winter with house and gurdy* under 7 pounds.

Dear father if you could get a little place where you could make meal and milk in the north of Scotland I would think it far better for you than to think to flit to another part of the world which you know nothing about and you must understand that the best or most part of your days is far through in this weary world and my dear mother likewise so that I do not think that you should attempt crossing the seas.

If you will not get a place of this kind you will surely get the grass of a cow or two thereabout for a year without being very dear or see what Providence will bring about for another year.  The prices is very good in the meantime so that you are not to dispose of your little stock for little value.  Father my advice and my last advice to you is to bide in the north of Scotland where you have spent the most pat of your days and you will not be at a loss while I have a shilling to spare.  You will have 9d and Johny my bother says likewise so you will settle in your mind and keep courage.   I do not see you at any loss for leaving Capt. Fraser.  I will give you no advice to come south for this year for the work is terrible slack but if you can get a house and a cow kept in some place for one year or we can look about us for I will come North and see you the next winter.  If William is out of a situation let him come South to the driving as last year for I will keep myself orron* for his summer or I will see what can be done and I think you should put George to some trade and Archibald likewise so that your family cannot be very throg* for I do assure that there is nothing like a trade of some kind.  I hope that this will come to your hand afore you will make ready for the main ocean for you must be sure that there is difficulties there as well as here and specially for a man to go with a bard pocket and a weak family.  I am sure you can live in Rosshire as cheap as you can live in all Scotland until some place will cast up but in case you will be determined for going to America, John and me will not go or we hear some accounts from you after arriving for we have heard so many bad accounts of it that we have no great inclination of going whatever for I can understand that a man can make nothing but a living with hard work and that we can find in Scotland.  Father you must know that you ken nothing about hard work in that place of a country so if you can get some place in that country I hope you will not remove.  I hope William will come South and bring Moss with him so that he will go to Lanrick.  Dear father I will conclude this saying with hoping to hear of your settlement in Scotland.  You will direct to Duncan Maxwell to the care of James Galt, Bridge of Dye by Fettercairn, Parish of Strachan.  I have no more to say at present but remain yours until death.

D. Maxwell

You will write to me how my aunt and her family is coming on and how Collin McKrae his wife and family is hading* and if they be for America, if they are getting any account from Archibald McCallum.  Give them all my kind compliments.  Tell Mary I would be blithe to get her mothers direction or her sisters.  If you would have any view of getting a place you will write as soon as this comes to your hand and if not write me that I will go and see you afore you go.  To conclude this i'll write lines hoping to get an answer as soon as possible.