Letter dated 24 May 1851 from William Esplin to his brother, John Esplin

Letter dated 24 May 1851 from William Esplin to his brother, John Esplin in America

May 24th 1851 Dear Brother We received your long expected letter last week and we are exceeding happy to hear that you are in good health and good spirits. I am sorry to learn that our own letter has never come to your hand as I wrote a few days after the arrival of your first letter. There must have been some mistake. You gave strict instructions not to pay it so we sent it away unpaid but I'll try the other plan with this one. It seems you have not seen McKenzie the shoemaker who left here about the first of March intending to go right on to the valley. I saw him the night before he left. He promised to call upon you if he had time. I believe if you had received our first letter and an answer before McKenzie went away I would have gone with him. The main thing I wanted to know was whether there would be any objection to persons of another creed amongst you, knowing that you would tell honestly. If that doubt was removed I would have no hesitation in coming out. The old man is keeping pretty well in health. He has been very uneasy about you but your promise of coming to see him has enlivened him a good deal. David Annand and Isabell & all of the family are quite well. David is to write to you once you are settled in the valley. Little Jamie speaks often about his uncle Jack. For a long time after you left he would allow no person to cut his hair, contending that his uncle Jack was coming back to do it. David and the sergeant is still carrying on the quarry. The sergeant & D. Lyle, your old master, send you their best respects. The folks in Lintrathen are quite well. I was north at the new year and saw them; all wishing to be remembered to you. [Note within the letter at this point: "O Willie, where are you now. April 1859 J. Esplin"] Elizabeth is a great deal better but it is still perceptible by the rising age that reason is ready on the least excitement to give way. The factor has People of Bankhead out and Mrs. Anderson has now gone to Melgine Bank. A. Anderson & John to all are to commence cattle dealing. I have not heard whether the People of Bankhead were in difficulties or not. It's not likely they are very well on it. David is still at Devonport. I had a letter from him short since. The mistress and he are quite. I must forward your directions as he is anxious to write you. I have very little to tell you regarding your people in Dundee. The only one I am acquainted with now is a clerk chap. I don't know his name but you will remember him; he was with Kirkland. I saw him lately; he was speaking of going out soon. I promised to let him know when I had word from you. Trade in Dundee is still keeping pretty brisk. The Great Exhibition is all the talk at present. The great of the land are there. Men of every tribe and tongue with specimens of their industry - in all a splendid gathering, a Princely Scheme. But I don't think it's calculated to benefit the working man. His ideas will be taken advantage of, but his merits in many instances will go unrewarded. The fact is I am every day getting more tired of this country. Not that necessity is staring me in the face, but when I see and hear of millions of our countrymen, once in the best of times, in the direst poverty. While we support such an expensive government, my blood boils within me. I intend coming out shortly if you would as to write on receipt of this letter stating what prospects there is and the course I may take. I may be there ere long. Give my respects to McKenzie the shoemaker and Mrs. Robertson and her sons if you happen to see them. I [know] little more that would be interesting to you. Wishing therefore that by the time you receive this you will have arrived safely at your destination. May God guide and direct you in all things and may his blessing rest upon [you] is the sincere wish of your affectionate brother William Esplin 27 Long Wynd Dundee