8 June 1845 Sydney My dear brother I received your letters of last February and was glad to hear that you were in good health and still hold in holding your situation. I hope the disturbances at New Zealand will not be the means of depriving you of your place. I had a letter from our sister Cathrine since I came to town. They were all well when she wrote me. They are much astonished that you never write them. They were stoping with a lady in Leith. She says that Aunt McLean is the best friend they have got. She takes great interest in them. She lives at Ross, Mull with her friends. Brother John is gone to try his fortune to sea and Archy is in the East Indies Captain of a vessell. Aunt McColl is still in Glasgow in the same place. Poor Uncle Coll affairs I can make nothing of. The Bishop told me yeasterday he left nothing. He said he died in debt but that is all stuf. He must [have] had some money. I shall let you a letter about myselfe & the situation that I was in came against my mind [?] and I had to leave about a month ago altho Berry did not wish me to leave. I stop with Mr Campbell Reef in Sydney for a few days till such time as I get some situation but I hope I will not be long idle for I will try some thing before long. Mr Campbell and the famiely is all well. They are dissatisfied at you for not writing them. You wanted to now our age but I shall let you no in a few days when I have more time to spare. I request you shall write me as soon as this comes to hand and let me no how you are getting on and if you think I should do any good down their. I hope you shall send for me. I should have come and taken my chance only for the bad accounts I hear of the place at present but be sure and write as soon as possible and let me know your oppinion of the place.