Volume 02: Letters written by John Macarthur to his wife, 1808-1832

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a Monkey, and sits on a yard arm or a Top gallant Mast Head with as much apparent ease and satisfaction as if he were in an Elbow Chair – Coming on board a few days since I saw him perched aloft like a Bird, but before I could ascend the side the urchin had descended like lightening down one of the back stays, and was at the gang way before me –

They have both improved in their writing, and I hope have not forgotten any thing they had before learnt – James accompanied me yesterday to dine with Lord Strangford (from whom I have received

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very particular attentions) William was also invited, but he has contrived to ornament his Cloaths even too highly for the Company of an Ambassador – Every garment he has is covered with Pitch and Tar – he will however make a fine daring fellow.

Colonel Johnston is at my Elbow complaining of the Rheumatism and the ravages of old age. Whilst William is gravely remarking to him that it is the Climate, for he feels his bones ache also.

I saw young Phillip King here who informed me your mother was well, and that Edward after his return from Spain had visited her – No doubt you will

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Rio Janeiro 30th. July 1809

will receive full and I hope satisfactory information of his adventures and future expectations. I have seen several officers here who speak of him very flatteringly May he continue to deserve the good report of the World, and enjoy the good fortune to receive it.

When you write my beloved Elizabeth omit nothing that relates to yourself – to hear what you are doing will be my chief consolation until we meet again – I most fervently pray that it may be soon, and if it pleases God to restore me to you all, that I may find you in perfect health.

James and William are now asleep in their Cot by my Side –

May God Almighty bless and preserve you all is the unceasing Prayer My Beloved Wife of Your affectionate Husband J McArthur

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London, 28th November 1809

My dearest dearest Elizabeth,

I am most happy and thankful to find a vessel on the point of sailing for Port Jackson – if her voyage be prosperous the receipt of this Letter will relieve your mind from those appre-hensions for my safety and that of the dear Boys, which have I fear too powerfully agitated and afflicted the most faithful of human hearts. My Letters from Rio Janeiro would acquaint you, our voyage to that Port was not an expeditious one, and that Colonel Johnston and myself were determined on prosecuting the remaining part on board a Liverpool ship.

In her we had less reason to think ourselves fortunate than in the Admiral Gambier, as we were twelve Weeks before we made the Coast of Ireland, and were at last obliged, after bufetting about almost a fortnight, to land at Limerick. From that City we proceeded by Land to Cork, and embarked from thence for Bristol, which we reached, all in good health on the 9th Ultmo.

As I had apprised Mr. Thompson of the Route we intended to pursue, Edward, who is stationed at Hereford with a recruiting Party, hastened to meet me; and I had the satisfaction within an hour after I had set my Feet on English ground, to see our dear Boy in good health, and infinitely more robust in appearance then when he left us.

There

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There was also a Letter from our dear John expressing the utmost impatience to hear of the safety of his Father and Brothers.

I shall now speak of my own more immediate affairs, and as I greatly fear some of our good friends will greatly increase your apprehensions by their idle reports of the hostile disposition of Governmnt towards us, let me entreat you my beloved Wife to believe my solemn assurance, that so far from having any thing to dread, we have the utmost reason to expect a successful termination of the business we have undertaken; and that when a full disclosure of the iniquity of our adversaries is made, they will all be overwhelmed with the contempt and detestation they so much deserve.

How it might have been had Lord Castlereagh and that Northern Bear Mr Cook remained in office I cannot say, for certain it is, they had both declared themselves adverse to us – and had they retained their authority they would have increased our difficulties, and perhaps in the end have crushed us all together. We ought therefore to