Volume 04: Letters to John Macarthur with some draft replies, 1800-1831

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[Pencil notes:] 149 26.7.1800

On board the City of London Indiaman in Lat. 14° 6' So. Long – 31–30 Wt.

My dear Sir

Should this be so fortunate as to reach which, I am very apprehensive of — I trust it will not be unacceptable tho' from a hand you are unacquainted with — and a person you can scarcely recollect — however, your acquaintance with my family I hope will be a sufficient excuse for my troubling you with this. — I have learnt that you have been informed of my Profession — and that I was in India with my Regiment from whence, I returned to England in 99 with Leave of Absence through sickness — I was in England, just a twelvemonth — which, I spent very pleasantly, chiefly with my friends in the west of England where after an absence of near six years I found things but little altered more than what time had effected: Here, I heard of the arrival of your son in England — that he had been at B Rule [Bridgerule] where he was a great favorite — and his quitting it was equally regretted on both sides. — During my stay with my Father, my Sister was favored with a much admired Letter from Mrs. Mc.Arthur in which she paints your Residence, as well as,

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the Country in general in such beautiful colours that we are all quite charmed with it and was it not deficient in what you undoubtedly enjoy I should have as objections to take up my residence with you indeed, as it is, I should have no objecttion to spend a year, or two with you by making an Exchange into your Regimt. as Captn. — or when I am Captn, which I have some hopes of being soon, with a fair difference — I fancy I hear Mrs. M. say Nonsense — why does he not give us some account of our friends etc. I must beg to be excused particulars — suffice it to say — that they are all well, and enjoy their countrified Parties as usual — That, there are a vast many old Maids, many young ones, and some Bachelors — yet — but very few Marriages — owing, they say to the hard times — I have only heard of two lately — which are Mr. T. Martin to his Cousin, & my Brother Roger to a young widow of obscure Family!!! In Politics, you will have better information than I can give you, by the Ship that conveys this — The most recent news of consequence, is the acquittal of Napper Tandy [James Napper Tandy, 1739-1803] — I must now make a conclusion of this unintelligible scrawl as the Boat is lowering down which is to convey

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[Some words part obscured. Suggested wording in square brackets.]]

this on board the Exeter China ship — who I shall request to send it on board the Royal Admiral at Rio Janeiro — where they will most probably meet. — I beg Mrs. Mc.Arthur will accept of my best regards — and I am sure — I may add those of my family, all of whom, derive the greatest pleasure from hearing of her and your wellfare. —

My Regt. is on the Island of Ceylon on the Madras Establishment and should it be in my power to do you any service in that part of the world it would give me the greatest Pleasure in that [case] [direct] it to me to the care of Messrs [Kindersly] Watts, & Co. Madras. — We have not touched any where since we left England (in the latter end of May) nor do we expect to cast Anchor any where till we arrive in Bengal River — I have in my charge five Officers, and one hundred & eight Men besides Women & Children all well, nor have I lost one. — I now conclude with hopes that Fortune will some time or other allow us to enjoy ourselves in our Native Country amidst Peace and Plenty.

I am yours most faithfully Dennis Kingdon Lt. 80th. Regt.

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[Address panel]

July 26th 1800.

Captn Mc.Arthur New South Wales Regt. Port Jackson New Holland

By favor of Captn. Wilson Ship Royal Admiral

D. Kingdon Lieut. 80th. Regt. July 26th 1800

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[Pencil note:] (Copy)

Sydney 23rd. March 1809.

Dear Sir

The Sandal Wood shipped on board the Admiral Gambier on Account of Captain Campbell and myself, amounting to five eighths of the whole, I have to request you will either dispose of at Rio Janeiro, or cause it to be forwarded to China as You may find it most advantageous — I have also to request that You will write by the Eolus [Aeolus] for an Insurance on our Accounts for that Wood, for three thousand Pounds — The Insurance should be made on the Admiral Gambier to Rio de Janeiro, with permission to touch at any other Port on her Voyage and from Rio de Janeiro to Canton, by any other Ship bound from the former place to the latter — You will of course direct that if the Sandal Wood is disposed of at Rio de Janeiro, that the additional premium for insuring from thence to Canton shall be returned — In whatever manner the Wood may be disposed of, You will have the Goodness to carry the Amount to my Credit with You. — I am Dear Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant, (signed) G Blaxcell.

John McArthur Esqre.