Letter dated 1 October 1851 from David Annand and Isabell Esplin Annand to John Esplin

Letter dated 1 October 1851 from David Annand of Lochee, Scotland, to John Esplin in America. David was the husband of John's sister, Isabella

Lochee October 1st 1851 Dear Brother John We received your letter mailed from Counsoal Blufs and we were happy to hear that you were in good health and good spirits. Dear brother this leaves us all in good healgth at present, thanks be to the giver of all good. But we must inform you that sense you went away from amongst us we have had the afflicting hand of providence amongst us in that we have had our little David taken away from us by death which was a shock for us boath and maid his mother and me to sorrow very much for our dear little boy. But we must submit to the all wise God who giveth and taketh away at pleasure. But I have the hope that our dear David is now gone better house nor with us in this world of sin and sorrow. For we have nothing looking before us but trials and troubles. Altho the son shines on us today in all his radiance and splendor, yet tomorrow may be a day of darkness and sorrow. But one must not despair of God's providence to mankind for we are at but best sinfoul and poluted mortals. It well becomes us to be humble in our every transaction. Your father is in good healgth at present, always ernest for a little more of this world's treasures. He thinks often of you and complains he is never to see you again. But it may be that you and him may have an opertunity of meeting together before he departs this world I bid him hope. Your brother William is working … Lochee and staying all night with your father. He is speaking of leaving and going away to America in a short time but he may alter his mind. William is very steady at his wok and drinks no spirits. If he goes away it will be sore upon your old father. Thomas Webster and aunt are in good healgth at present. I was north at Alyth the last week. My foulks are well and my sisters bids give you there kindest wishes. I got no news in Alyth. I gave to James Fife and father your best respects. They are boath well. They are very … and wishing earnestly that they had you back as they have a very good … to give you as a workman and other prospects also. William Nicoll and daughter are boath well and send there kind wishes to you. We have had a very fine sumer and good harvest this year. The provisions are as follow. Oatmeal per bshl 13/6 4 pound safe 4 ½ Potatoes per bshl 11/0 Beff per pound 0/5 Butter an so forth 0/9 This will probably give you a contrast of the rates of the same in the contray that you are in. Perhaps that you/goods are cheaper an dearer but if so the wages will be better. Trade in Dundee is fallen off a good deal this autum on account of a good deal of failures in the manufacturing line there of mills off work being all bankrouth. Liabilities at Harbours is to the amount of 300,000 pound this last 3 mongths past. The stopeges of so many works throughs a heavy burden on the community of unemployed as they canot all work to keep them from starving. I am still working away at the quarry. Our task is out at the first term of … and I do not think to engage it again. There is not a great deal doing in our line at present as buildings are mostly suspended in account of the sloeness of trade. Dear friend I was speaking of trials and troubles being our lot, some of which has a more … share of … without our dear friend. But that you have … much sinse you went away from amongst us. Your road has been long and labourious, beset with danger and difficulties. But I trust to God that you have surmounted them all and … arrived safely in the contray that you longue so much after. And likewise that you not only find it to your expectation but you find it to your expectation but you find it to far surmount your most sanguine expectation. Believe me this is the sinseare wish your brother and friend, David Annand. Hoping that you will not want a friend in need is the sinseare wishes of your sister and of us all I trust that you will write to us presently as we will weary very very much before we reseave it. Do mind to write soon and may this find you well and lovedg and beloved by all is the sinceeare wishes of your brother and sister David Annand an& Isabell Esplin