Letter from P. Wilson to Donald McLean, dated March 8th. 1852. March 8th. 1852. Monday evening. My dear Mc., I give you joy of your appointment; and I wish we had the enjoyment of the legacy before our sons "come and cut again" at it. I have not a fraction of cash to lend, or contrive, could willingly borrow; being determined to invest my every penny before gold becomes a drug in the market; and gold plate, if I may so say, takes the place of silver. No doubt it will be down to the value of copper by and bye ---(?) must have been a substitute. I vote for Platina, and for this simple reason, that I have a chain of it; which I could then very likely get something for. Cash, here, at present, is at 12 1/2 premium. This looks as if speculation was active. I write this now; as Gudgeon seems so anxious; but I shall write to you more fully next post. In the mean time, you cannot, or should not, delay to give an authority for shingling; as also the building of a permanent kitchen and dairy. I find, from Gudgeon, that Vercoe, by your direction, put the bricks in the parlour chimney up with garden earth. Therefore, that cannot be laid to Gudgeon's account. The house, too, should have a fresh coat of paint; and with these improvements, I have not a doubt but that it would readily let for £30, or more, per annum. So you see, a few pounds so laid out would tell well. Less than £250 you should not take; but, from the situation, I think you ought to get the higher sum. But neither the one nor the other, in its present state. Indeed, it would be unchristion to ask decent people to live in it. In haste, very truly yours, (Signed) P. Wilson. To Donald McLean Esq.