14 July 1849 Gippsland Dear brother I take my pen once more to let you know that I am in good health since I heard from last hopeing this will find you the same. I have wrote you different times but never had no answers. I begin to think you are getting careless about writing me. I am getting anxious to hear from you for I at times think you are not alive at all. I had letters from home 3 month past all our [family] were in health. I had the pleasure of being a month with our brother John last year in Melbourne, Port Phillip. I heard he was their and was two hundred miles to se him. I wish you were so near here and I would soon have the pleasure of seing you. He was then second officer of a fine baurque called the Nelson, and he came out this year first mate of the Hoogley from London. I did not se him but had a letter from him. He is a promising lad that I hope will do well. Archy is halfe owner of a fine ship called the Naphail of Grenock. He is out in Bombay. His crew are all Highlanders. He will be in Greenock by this time. I believe that is the most particular of my news. Al[l] our friends were well when John left this year. My dear Donald I hope you will write me as soon as possible and let me know how you come on in that part of the world and let me know of there is aney prospects of me doing aney good for myselfe in New Zealand as I should like much to be near you for I would far sooner be near you than to be living hear by myselfe. Write imedately and if I shall be one of the gold hunters in Californea before long. Let me know the prospects of the country and what for I have made up my mind to se you if spared before long. When you write to the care of Mrs Campbell, Glenco, Gipps Land, Port Albert. I am writing you these few lines at Mrs Campbell's who sends their best repsects to you. They are all well. Dear brother in hopes you will receive and excuse this scroll. I remain your affectionate brother A McLean