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Aldborough C.W.

March 9th 1864.

Dear Sir,

Your favour of 27th January last was duly received, also your former letter which I laid away in some place and now cannot find it. I am glad to hear that you still enjoy good health, would like to be with you for some time to hear of your adventures and perhaps hairbreadth escapes while serving with the Penninsular Army. The war in the U. States still continues, the Northern States appear to be divided in opinions while the Southerners are unanimous. What the final issue of that war is to be is hard to foresee. The loss in men and money is enormous. The debt of the Northern States about 1st Jany last was $2,000,000,000 yearly interest at same date $120,000,000 the North are paying very high bounties for recruits Viz from $300 to $800 each which indicates that the war is not a popular one with the people of the North. Their immense paper issue is very much depreciated in value although a legal tender among themselves. Gold is worth 64 per ct (?) in New York at present. The Government of the U. States I mean the federal Government appears to be controlled by money operators and Army Contractors etc.

I am really Astonished to see immigration from the British Isles apparently on the increase to the United States. The great inducement probably is, free grants of land, high wages etc. On the other hand there is the danger of being drafted to fight in their unnatural quarrel. More than that, Taxation will be very high for years to come and should the war continue many years the Nation will become Bankrupt. My mother is quite active yet, her hearing and her eye sight continues good. She is always doing something. She and my eldest sister resides together. She wishes me to say to you that it is not very probable that you and she will meet in this world and as your respective course is pretty well nigh run She hopes that you are preparing for the long journey beyond the grave and further hopes that She may meet you in a world of everlasting bliss.

I would not advise a man of your years to come to this country. You can live more comfortably where you are. This is a good country for men with families to provide for, and who are accostomed to hard labour & a little money to purchase land is very desirable & necessary in order to secure comparative comfort to an immigrant. Young men bud Mechanics or who are accostomed to labor will do well here. Farm labourers get about £30 Sterling per ann: Mechanics such as Blacksmiths Carpenters etc. £60. Prices of Stock with us are as follows Viz. Horses from £15 to £20. Oxen £16. Cows £2/10/- to £3. Sheep Grades from 15/- to £1. Wool Common 2/- to 2/3. Grain Wheat per (cwt?) 5/- Barley 3/- Oats 2/- Indian Corn 2/6.

The American War is an injury to Canadians in the way of trade the rate of change being about 33% against them prevents purchase being made to the usual extent on American Account. Timber is good in Canada. I had a letter in 1857 from Duncan McGregor (son of the late Donald McGregor of Roxborough, Canada) giving me some account of his Aunt Catherine who was married to Malcolm McCallum. He stated that two of her boys had gone West in search of land. I did not see them. I know nothing of Duncan McCallum, he probably resides a long way from where I am. I think that in my former letter that I mentioned that there were several families of McKerchers residing about fifteen miles West of where I am. Viz. Finlay McKercher's family. John & William McKercher two brothers belonging to another family also an old woman of that name married to a Mr. Wilson. She is a widow. They are all in comfortable circumstances. They made their property all in Canada. Lands were cheap when they came out, in fact free in certain Localities. All my children are going to school. I will send you the first Yankee paper that I get. Send me a Scotch paper. A couple of wealthy Perthshire proprietors I observed have died within the last twelve months. Breadalbane and Atholl. Write soon don’t be so negligent as I have been. With best respects to all remaining friends.I am my dear Sir,

Yours truly,

Duncan McDiarmid.

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MMJ, December, 1999
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