United States Ship 'Corra Linn' New York 18 January 1852 My dear brother Some time has now elapsed since I had a opportunity of composing my mind to write to a beloved brother but thanks to that Almighty power I am now in better spirits and able again after all my tryals to make a proper appearance among my friends. I was in Glasgow 2 months ago and saw two of my beloved & worthy sisters who were very well and heard good accounts of brother John. He commands a brig out of Port Lewes [Louis], Mauritius. He is by all accounts a fine young man. I never heard from brother Alexander. Worthy Uncle I have not seen this 14 years. I saw Aunt Jessy and some of the others in Glasgow all well. It would be needless for me to nuerate [narrate] to you a long account about all our relations but as far as I know they are well. The Douglases were highly pleased with your letter. Now my dear Donald to busness. A thing your unfortunate brother never forgot altho it went hard with me. One thing I must state I have got beyond want and hold the charge of the above vessel a regular packet between New York & Glasgow which will enable me to act the father to my worthy sisters. Flora Ann I expect will soon make a good marriage so she will be of our hands. I am still single myself and intend to continue so but if ever I change my position Miss Douglas will be your sister in place of cousin. Your last letter to me satisfied me as to your own news which I was quite satisfied as to your causion but I had no chance of hearing who or what she was. I suppose she is now yours if so my dearest Donald I wish you joy. All my hope at one time was to have it in my power to make New Zealand the home of all our scattered family but God ordered it otherwise however I hope yet I will be able even in old age to get your length then what a meeting. The last letter I received to you was written when your ocean bird was driven to dispair but I hope as your sallary is good you will be careful and lay by. How dreadful it is the want of money. I am ampbley paid for all I did to my sisters as it made them amiable and a patern to many in this world. Uncle Donald mentioned you sent them some little money but he never told them that or yet did he mention the sum to me which was very strange. He mearly said it was a few pounds. I can scarcley believe you would send all that distance less than £10. Any way therefore you write me and tell me the amount, should they never get it, I should like to know. Perhaps worthy man he keept it of them for a time. They might be now in want as I can now assist them a triffle. If it was possible for you to lay buy £100, which to your sallary is but a small ittem, and send it to me with what I can collect before an answer to this say 9 months and forward it to me in bills inclosed to myself and payable to myself, if in life I would buy a vessell of 200 tons and go from New York with a saleable cargo down your way and refund your money with interest. I cannot see anything to stop you my dear Dan from doing so therefore do try & it is the only way now I can manage to get down your way. Write me care of Uncle Donald to Scotland and New York care of Samuel S Goodridge, 84 Broad St here. Any how lose no time in writing me and let me know how you are and what you have sent as I am of oppinion you have sent me some through Uncle I never heard of when you heard my distress. That thank God is over now. Now my dear Donald may the protecting hand of God guide you and may you put your trust and confidence in God is the prayer of your ever affectionate brother Archibald John McLean