“Hordley Estate, 20^th March, 1832

My dear William!

I rather think that my long silence has given you some uneasiness in not writing to you long before this, but I am so busy that I have no time to spare. I am at work from daylight in the morning until dark which is very hard in a climate like this. I am in good health thank God, and sincerely hope that you and family are the same. We have had sad times of it here from 1^st January to the end of February this year the [slaves] broke out in open rebellion and martial law proclaimed a great number of them have [surrendered?], but God only knows when they may rise again. [Ray white Porton?] is in the alert, but am afraid a second attempt will be dreadful. There are upwards of 180 estates and settlements turned down, and may whites murdered. I am thinking of leaving the country, and request of you to let me know how you are situated and what kind of a country America is. State every particular, if I would of it employment where you are I would go over, if not I shall proceed to old Scotia. I can muster about 1400 dollars. Let me know how it would do/should I go to America to speculate in rum. Accept my best wishes and excuse this hasty scroll as the night is just on the [ere?] of sailing.

I am,

My dear William!

Very truly yours,

James McLaren

Direct –

Mr. James McLaren/Mason/Hordley Estate, Saint Thomas in the East, by Bath, Jamaica”