H. M. Ship Dromedary
Rio de Janeiro, Brazils,
14th. Augt. 1809.

Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure to inform you of our safe arrival here on the 7th. Instant, and that Mrs. Macquarie and myself are – thank God! in perfect good health; as are also our two young friends John Maclaine and Duncan Campbell. — We only remain here for 4 or 5 days longer and then prosecute our Voyage to N. S. Wales; touching however on our way thither at the Cape of Good Hope for Water and Refreshments. —

I wrote to my Brother in law Sir John Campbell previous to my leaving England, to inform him that I intended to settle an annuity of Twenty Pounds a year on my Sister in law Mrs. Campbell of Glenfuichan, as a small testimony of my regard and affection, and that I wished it to be paid her through him. — I have therefore now to request that you will be so good as to pay into Sir John's hands the sum of Twenty Pounds Sterling Pr. Annum, to be by him paid to his Sister Mrs. Campbell, in one, or two separate payments at her option. —

It is my wish and desire that this Annuity should Commence from Whitsunday last, and that you should pay it regularly to Sir John Campbell at the term of Whitsunday in each Year in arrear; debiting my account of Rents with the same. —

I shall expect to hear from you annually, with a particular account of my concerns and affairs in Mull entrusted to your management. — I hope my Tenants at Sallen, [sic] and on the other parts of my Estate of Jarvisfield, will thrive and prosper, and carry on such Improvements as you will point out to them. — You must not allow them ever to be in arrear with their Rents, but make them pay punctually at the regular stated terms. —

When you write to me, be so good as to direct your Letters for me to the care of my Bankers – "Messrs. Goslings & Sharpe, Fleet Street – London," who will forward them to me as opportunity may offer for N. S. Wales – Mrs. Macquarie begs to unite with me in best regards to yourself & Mrs. Mc.Tavish & Family. —

I remain, Dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
L. M.

To
Mr. Dugd. Mc.Tavish,
Laggan, Lochbuy - Mull.

Provenance
Copy of a letter sent: 'Lachlan Macquarie to Dugald Mc.Tavish' 14 August 1809.
Lachlan Macquarie. Private Letter Book [1808-1810].
Original held in Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A796 pp.35-36; (microfilm copy: CY Reel 306: frames #116-117).

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