Volume 62: Walter Stevenson Davidson papers, 1815-1846: No. 131

[Page 131]

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random, for I know it to be the case, and have been told so by those who know better than I do.  Well, supposing the Flocks to be separated after next shearing time, (i.e. end of the year 1836 or beginning of 1837,) your Property of 'Carleroy' could be made ready to receive them at a very trifling expense, and in a very short time, and then I hope and trust that things will go on prosperously.  At all events, your affairs will be attended to most closely, and that is what they have never yet been; and whatever is in the power of any man shall be done; but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and proof of good management is PRODUCTIVENESS.

"At such a distance from home, and when such a length of time elapses between sending off a letter and receiving an answer, it will not do to be too delicate in mentioning any thing; and I therefore say more than I otherwise do about what I will do, as perhaps you may not take the same view of things as I do; but I trust you will, and I venture to predict that such will be the case.  In the event of this looked forward to division, and in the event of my having to do with your concerns here, I need not mention to one so well versed in business, that it will be necessary for me to be empowered to draw on you to a certain amount; as, if I take the Flocks just after shearing, (and at the shearing there ought to be nearly £1,700 * worth of Wool taken off their backs,) of course I will require a little money to set them a-going, and keep them so until the next shearing time, end of 1837, when I hope that very substantial proofs of improved management may be shown. 

I must say I am a good deal surprised that Mr. Jones has not always made a practice of letting you know, by regular Returns of the state of the Flocks, what number exactly were your property.  When one man is Agent for another he ought to make it a rule to let the proprietor know, at regular and stated intervals, what the state of his flocks are with regard to increase, &c.  But the fact is, that I am convinced, Jones does not know himself the state of the Flocks, and never will as long as he has such rascally overseers, who can talk him over to his way of thinking; he is so easy and good natured, - when in his mercantile business he is as sharp as possible.  Now, let us imagine that the Flocks are separated, and I will here mention what in my opinion would be the best way of going to work.  If I were to receive a letter from you, saying that such was to be the case on or about January 1837, I would immediately commence getting a few  huts and stations knocked up at Carleroy, with a hut for myself and stores, - get from Sydney all all the things requisite for setting to work, - and get a paddock fenced in, which should be sown with wheat and maize, for it is a great expense bringing flour up the country to such a distance. All this being

*This is hitting below the mark considerably.

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