DERBYSHIRE RECORDS OFFICE D4716/1
20th
June 1841 Sydney, New South Wales.
My dear father and Mother,
I have taken the opportunity of writing you these
lines trusting the same will find you both in good health, Brothers and
sisters, and all relations and enquiring friends, as it leaves me by the
blessing of God in good health at present. I received your affectionate
letters, and on account of being removed from my master prevented in answering
your letters, my reasons for leaving my master, was that he objected to sign
his name for my liberty.
It gave me great pleasure in one way of hearing from
you and I was very much grieved of hearing the death of my Uncle, and my cousin
Elizabeth but, I trust they are gone to a better world, in which they will
enjoy everlasting happiness.
It was your particular wish to know the present state
of the colony in regard of wages. If I was free I could get from thirty five
pounds at least to forty pounds per year. I have been offered lately one pound
per week and rations I have been engaged with a master at Wollongong. Soon even
I am free and that will be on the 14th of October. I am very happy to think you
have the intention of coming over, and there is not the least doubt of your
doing well, provisions are very cheap – according to the wages. I am happy to
hear from you, that I have learnt from difference Branches, since I have been
in the colony.
Should I have the pleasure of meeting you again in the
colony, I shall be able to make you comfortable and happy all days of your
lives. I have given up the thought of returning home, on account of your having
the intention of coming out here, and it will give me a great consolation of
seeing after so long a time, and if you have got a neighbour that would like to
come, come all together and not have the least danger in crossing the ocean for
it is a delightful passage a person can take by cutter.
I conclude with my kind love to my brother, William
and my sister Elizabeth and likewise to young Charles, and to the rest of the
family and all relatives and friends, God be with you wishing you all
prosperity and happiness trusting to the helps of a merciful providence of
seeing you all out here. In the cause of twelve months.
From your affectionate son, James Foster.
Send me an answer if you intend leaving, before you
sail so that I may know you are coming.
TAKEN
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