[Page 101]
[Note written on the address sheet of a letter. Parts very faint.]
Private
St James' St
25 April 1845
My dear MacArthur,
This morning's post brought the letter attached hereto from Edward,and as I am going out of Town this Aft: & Capt: Mallard may call here in my absence, I put up the Gold Medal at once to await him – I have all your letters, to the 25th of April inclusive, which reached me this morning; and I rejoice to perceive your pleasing anticipations respecting the general recovery of the Colony –
As regards Edward's complaints, I have often heard of them as you may imagine, but I assure you that I have constantly, and upon every occasion, discountenanced & discouraged them, saying that he might [indecipherable] place the fullest and most entire confidence in William & yourself – & leave all to you & William – Edward has been very fidgetty, however, and not unnaturally so, I confess – It was this which led him to write you about offering security for our advances – & this alone – for I can declare that I never even hinted at such a wish on our parts – This I can positively declare –
The wine results are wonderful indeed – & I shall next wish to know what the whole quantity averaged P [per] Gallon – 5 – at least, I calculate it at. – The Horse consignment too, is most satisfactory – and a grand thing it will prove for the Colony – Surely Horses (good ones) must now command high prices. – I am truly glad that you should have these fine results to cheer you, after the dreadful
[Address panel, with penny stamp, written over by note.]
To be forwarded
W. S. Davidson Esqu
16 St James's St
London