FL14425217

85

Dear Madam
As a gentleman is returning from this colony to London,
I shall just drop you a line to let you know we are well, and anxiously
expecting to hear from England. C.Grimes Esq who will deliver you this
will inform you how we are going on: his stay in England probably will
be but short, as his duty will require him to return by an early conveyance.
I am very uneasy at times about Mr. Johnson's affairs in this colony &
since the death of the Paymaster of the New S. Wales Corps. He was
considerably in debt to Mr. Johnson. I had done my utmost to obtain
the money for him; and believe he will be one of the least sufferers of
Mr. [indecipherable] creditors, considering the loan he left one to recover for him. Mr
Johnson unleft he was to visit us again, could not believe the great change
in the political state of the colony. Many things are altered for the
better. I should be happy should I ever live to see religion flourish amongst
us. There is no prospect of this. I often think the gospel, if we may judge
from appearance, in this settlement, was only intended for children,
the common soldier and the convict in irons. The military officer
will march the soldiers to the church door; and then return. The Gaoler
unlock his cells, and turn his prisoners out to public worship, but has
no idea of attending himself. Such is the afflicting situation I am placed
in; my sould is pained within me; I cannot but mourn for the