Volume 01: Correspondence of John Macarthur, 1806-1831, and miscellaneous papers concerning him, 1808-1931

of sustaining the weight, which my death would impose on him. William still continues a good tempered thoughtless fellow, very like Edward in Character, altho' of a more lively temper. I am sure John will be much disappointed at the failure of his last years letters to you. He wrote, I know, a little Time before my Departure from England and sent you some new Publications, and little Trifles that he thought might be acceptable, or not easy to procure in China. I am sorry there are no Lemons at this season to send you now, but what are very so ripe that they would be rotten before they reached half way to Canton. I have been contriving for some months to get a drawing of our little Cottage, executed by an Officer who draws beautifully. I hope still to succeed and to be enabled to send it to you very soon. It may sometimes remind you of those who often think and speak of [indecipherable]. I had almost forgotten your request to be informed in what way Mr. Watford Taylor's Friendship became Serviceable to me. He was in the kindest manner Instrumental to my opening and carrying on the Correspondence with Government.

which ended, in the removal of the obstacles that existed to prevent my reunion with my Family. Perhaps, you may have heard that I had the good Fortune to soon after to be instrumental in extricating George Halliday from a very embarrassing situation for which the whole Family considered themselves obliged. It is very pleasing to evince that Friendship is not misdirected towards you.

I conclude Hannibal writes to you upon his present [original crossed out] mercantile prospects. For my own part I find myself so unfit to embark in any pursuit of the kind, and think the Prospects and Friends of this Colony so uncertain that not even your Kind offer of support and assistance could tempt me to engage in any adventure. Would to God I had always entertained the same sentiments, I should now have been independent, instead of being con-demned to struggle for a subsistance, at a period when years and infirmities make repose desirable – nay almost necessary But the Past – Bygones – cannot be recalled

This is a dismal miserable Letter for the Entertainment of an absent Friend, but I am ill, and unable to consider

what I write or to write more entertainingly, if I thought however much. Let me hear from you, whenever you have an opportunity and be assured of the sincere and unabated regard of my Dear Davidson

Your faithful Friend John Macarthur

P.S. I regret to have seen so little of Mr. Ritchie Your Female Friends will thank you for your delightful present of Teas. They were very acceptable to us all I shall postpone saying any thing of Belmont until I see the Turn Affairs take. In the mean time accept my best thanks for the sale of it.

Copied. September 1840 by my dear Father's Most affectionate and grateful Son Edward.

1B Carlton House Terrace London

Bigges Circular Letter and John Macarthur's reply with suggestions

Nos 131-133.

No. 50

Sydney 7th January 1820

Sir

Having had under my Consideration the Various modes of Employing Convicts now pursued in New South Wales; and wishing to have the benefit of your Observation and experience upon a subject connected with one of the most Important objects of my Enquiry, I beg leave to propose to you the following Questions to which I earnestly request your Attention and Answer.

1st Have you observed and are you of opinion that Agricultural Occupations in their most extended sense afford better means of Employing Convicts and have a greater Tendency to reform them than any other Species of Labour.

2nd What are the peculiar Kinds of Labour that you consider to be most beneficial to the Agricultural Interests of This Colony and best adapted to its Soil and Climate.

3rd What extent of Superintendence or scheme of management would you recommend or think necessary to enforce a constant and sufficient quantity of Labour from Convicts employed in the ordinary Occupations of Agriculture or such other as you may be disposed to recommend in your Answer to the 2nd Question.