Letter to Thomas C. Watson from unnamed writer, sent via the SS Great Britain, 29th October 1852.
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Object number1997.040
TitleLetter to Thomas C. Watson from unnamed writer, sent via the SS Great Britain, 29th October 1852.
Creator Thomas C Watson (author)
DescriptionLetter to Thomas C. Watson from unnamed writer. Written in Melbourne, Australia. Dated 29th October [?], 1852. Addressed to Westgate, Grantham, Lincolnshire. Former address of 'Cardiff, South Wales, Great Britain' crossed out. 'c/o "Great Britain" Steamer' written above address. Postmarked 'Melbourne' and 'Grantham Sep 1853'. Letter is unsigned and appears to be incomplete.
Letter details difficulties facing new emigrants in finding work in Australia. Writer says 'I write a very hasty note by the "Great Britain" which leaves tomorrow'. He goes onto discuss various schemes for making money he has considered. Setting up in sheep farming is out of the question: 'as to a sheep station within 500 miles of Melbourne, they are every one taken and will not be sold under 25/- a head. if any man in England has money enough to purchase a sheep run he had better remain there is the advice of a very leery old chum...'. The writer goes onto to say it is not possible to buy wool from sheep farmers as 'every station holder has his agent in town from whom he gets stores in exchange for his wool and will not sell to anyone else'.
The writer then states that Watson's idea for operating a steamer service was 'well worth carrying into execution' but goes onto say 'it seems to me such an enormous tide of emigration cannot continue long, particularly if the late flatness at the diggings be truly told at home'. He says that he hopes Watson manages to find success in England rather than coming to Australia where 'the intense heat and clouds of dust is maddening' and adds 'it is utterly useless forming any plans in England for what you will do here, things change so much, and they are so different from all English arrangements'.
The writer concludes that he is 'disgusted by the whole colony' and says that if his fortunes do not improve he will go to 'Van Dieman's Land or New Zealand or home'.
Production placeMelbourne
Production date 1852-10-29 - 1852-10-29
Object nameletter
Object categorycorrespondence
Materialpaper
Techniquehand-written
Dimensions
- height: 252 mm
width: 427 mm
DocumentationLetter to Tom