you in the land I have laid down as the spot to rest for all of our father's family who may follow the eldest of there tribe to be under the protection of there young and worthy brother on a settlement in New Zealand. You say you have had hard ships and trouble to contend with. I dare say my dear Don you have but what are they to what I have gone through. The reverse of fortune has followed me year after year since 1844. I must give some account of my good success first and then my downfall after I sailed from the Clyde in 1841 July 16th as Chief Mate of the barque 'Potentall' the ship I came out to Sidney with when you were there. A quarrel between me the Capt in China made me leave her there. I was friendless, however fortune took a good turn and I was engaged as sailing master of an armed brig on the salary of £120 per annum in her. I worked my way up to hanker after the English fleet the time of the war, came back to Hong Kong 9 month afterwards where I was taken much notice of, put in command