Volume 62: Walter Stevenson Davidson papers, 1815-1846: No. 125

[Page 125]

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The following are extracts from two very long letters from my Nephew, written soon after his arrival in New South Wales, and upon his first visit to my property; the one is addressed to myself, and the other to his Father.
The first is dated at Mr. Jones's place, Cocrabil, 30th November and 1st December, 1835.

"My Dear Uncle,
"The following I intend as an account of the state of your Property of Carleroy, as it is at present, and also of my opinions and ideas of what it might be turned into; also of the state of the 'Joint Flocks', as they are under the present system of management pursued, and the probable result of what your Flocks might be brought to, if disjoined from those of Mr. Jones, and managed as I shall point out.  I have now been upwards of six months in the Colony, rather more than four of which I spent at ----------, where I saw things conducted in the best manner possible.  I have also seen a good many of the best conducted establishments on the Hunter river, and also in Argyleshire, two of the most populous districts of the Colony.  I have now been residing for two months at Cocrabil, the head-quarters of the 'Joint Flocks', and have attended most closely to the system of management pursued by the person whom Mr. Jones has placed at the head of this valuable (and what ought to be most productive) establishment.

Concerning the state in which I found things here, I will speak when I mention the state of the 'Joint Flocks'.   From what I have seen since I came up here, I am convinced of the great advantage I have had in residing at ------------, and forming my ideas of sheep-farming there.  Had I come up here immediately on my arrival in the Colony, I am afraid I would have made a very different settler from what I hope I may be found to turn out.  Of course, I have nothing to do with anything here in the way of taking any charge, and am merely, I may say, a visitor; but I have had my eyes and ears open, and what I have seen and heard you shall see a few pages on.  I came here in the beginning of October, and intend going down the country in the middle of next month (December).   The way I intend to spend the time between that, and such time as I may receive an answer to this from you, is the following.  On going down the country, I shall remain no time in Sydney, but take up my old quarters till March, when I shall again come up here to see how the autumn lambing is conducted.  I expect to find it as badly gone about as every other thing, but shall be here to see and judge for myself, and report to you accordingly.