11 January 1858 Liverpool My dear brother I wrote you about a month since of my intention of going to New Zealand. I cannot go there direct at present as I am getting a passage out to Melbourne per ship 'Senator' as purser for my passage. I am going to leave my dear wife behind till I can see what I can do out among you but as Catherine our sister had a letter from John lately saying he would come home for his sisters I have made up my mind to take dear little Annabella out with me and shurely you and Alexander will be only too glade to have her to keep house for you for she is a sweet young girl and will be a comfort for all of us to have her among ourselves. We will sail from here on the 21 next and I hope you will receive this in time to have a letter before us in Melbourne with some money or the loan of £50 fifty pounds till I will be able to pay you to assist us on our arrival. If you cannot send it I am certain Alexander will assist for if I was to know his address I would write him. My intention is after I get situated to send for my dear wife and your sister Catherine in the course of a year if God spares me. Shurely I will get some employment on a ship out of the colonies better than toiling among strangers in this miserable country to me as I never had any luck in it. It is a sore trial for me to leave my dear wife behind me but I trust in God I will soon be able to manage to make a better home for her in the colonies than I ever could do here. Now my dear brother I am laying out all I have got to take myself and sister out. So as I am coming that near you I hope you will not only be glade to assist us but feell thankful to the Almighty you have got it in your power. From what I have heard that Alexander is very generous to others so between you I hope you will now try and procure for your old ocean bird a resting place near you for I will take any situation rather than follow the sea much longer. Perhaps I may get in some of the steamers on your coast if so I may continue for a while till I make a few hundreds to purchase lands. You will address me to John's care Melbourne or Messrs MacMeekin Blackwood & Co, Melbourne. I hope you will receive this in time to have an answer before us. Trusting this will find you and dear child quite well. With best compliments to Alexander & McInish. Mrs McLean joins me in best wishes for you all. I remain dear brother your attached brother Archibald John McLean Donald McLean Esquire Chief Land Commissioner Auckland, New Zealand