[After March 1855] My dear brother You certainly would have received my letters from Liverpool last April also from New York in May last acquenting you of my welfair and how the world was using me. I must state I have been comparatative idle all the first part of this year. I had command of a splendid ship called the 'Gray Feather' going to Melbourne. You may then think how overjoyed I was to think I was going again so near my esteemed brother with a full hope of seeing him and the rest but fate altered that the 2nd day before being ready for sea I was taken very ill and could not go. That was on the 3 August and she sailed with another Captn on the 5. That was a heavey blow to me as I then thought I was going to do well. I wrote to you to send me some help to purchase a vessel here to take out there, I mean to New Zealand where I am convinced with good management trading in those seas we could clear her in one year, indeed I want to get out there and settle and if you can only send me through my wife who will doubtless know my destination, say £200 or £300, with what I have got I will accomplish the only hope of us ever being happy and comfortable in the land you have made yourself so comfortable in. Why not import some of the comfortable soil to your careworn oldest brother who is willing to work to his uttermost for the good of all. I heard from my wife about a month ago at that time, our dear sisters were well and all single and the rest of our friends. I can get the control of a splendid vessell here any time to trade out there as long as I please by buying 4 of her which will take that amount (I spoke of). I expect employment soon. I would be employed before this but a suit I had at law prevented me which will be decided in a few days now. My dear brother I hope you and your son is enjoying all comforts of this weary world, the most precious one health. My own is returned to me thanks be to God and if I had £300 with what I have got you would have me in New Zealand 6 months from this. Now dear brother if you can at all manage it sent the amount on receipt of this and I will garantte you a good interest for it and see the propriety of us being once together. I have made up my mind to leave of the sea as I find I could do better in a farm down there besides many other thing I could get to do there after a year or so when I could sell our potion of the vessel which would very likely pay all our own money & more back lent per cent. Address me care of my wife at her father's where she will be for time for an answer to this that only ought to be about 7 to 8 months at furest. I now end with love to you and my little nephew. Remaining your ever affectionate brother. Archibald McLean To Donald McLean Esq Land Commissioner Wellington New Zealand I will not pay this as from this country they go better without the Yankees are big rogues indeed I have proved them so. They are as clanish as the Hilanders to each other hard to be up sides with them.