File 3: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 2, pp. 703-1164, 1825-1867

[MS 745]

[indecipherable] Austell, Cornwall, 10 June, 1826

My Dear Bro. Hassall,

Your several letters from Port M^c quarie and Parramatta have all come to hand, and I feel greatly obliged by the ample information which you have given me, you tell me more of that which I require & wish to know, especially about family and domestic matters than all my other Correspondents put together. I wonder that you sho^d say, matter was short with you, did you suppose that any thing from your pen could be uninteresting to me? Tho you will easily judge that my feelings must be exceedingly agitated while perusing letters to Mrs Lawry!! However, I went to her precious tomb and indulged the silent luxury of grief. This however is a subject upon which I dare not enlarge - I see the Hand of the Lord in it, and am endeavouring to bow submissively, thank God, my dear babes are well. With regard to Eagar's swindling business, there remains not the least chance of our recovering from him on [one] shilling. He is, I am told, still in London, swallowed up in the vortex of debauchery. I had much rather spend every farthing of my private property in meeting the demands of Hancox &c, than be involved in his awful condition. The proposal you make as to each one bearing his proportion of the sum which Eagar has cheated the family out of, is most reasonable & I for one shall most cheerfully tho: perhaps, not most conveniently comply with it. - I am grieved to find that M^r Jones shou^d have allowed the flocks to be infected - but, as you say, calamity comes in crowds. My much beloved bro: Jonathan never writes me, it is now two years since I have heard anything of our living property in N. S. Wales, and whether it is doing well or ill,

[MS 746]

one would like to know how matters are going own. [on] But I suppose Mr Howe & Jon: do not exactly draw together, and therefore I must not be informed of the state of the stock. - I do not in the least doubt of Jonathan's fidelity and skill in the management of the Concern, but I wish only for a correspondence.

The Period when his Agreement and name terminates will soon draw to a close - what plan would you advise me to adopt in the business? How shall I manage it? Shall the Stock be sold? or shall it be (in some way) let for a perpetual yearly income? A third way would be to appoint some new Agent with Bro: Jon: say yourself or Bro: Sam^l - And a fourth way would be to allow all matters to go on as they are going. To these propositions what advice or remark would you offer? "He that [indecipherable] a warfare entangleth not himself with the affairs of this life." I am not quite easy in my mind about the present state of my worldly matters - they are not sufficiently wound up; but in their [lose? (loose)], and fluctuating condition involve some degree of concern, and thoughtfulness upon worldly business which, I fear, is scarcely consistent with my engagements and duties to the Lord & his church. I fear Bro: Walker has sowed thornes in his pillow which an accession of worldly property led him into & has been the principal means of cherishing. The Almighty cannot trust us with much. The squabbles which I see in the public papers from the N. S. Wales Press, and especially those which relate to Douglass, Howe, Marsden &c, grieve me greatly, I fear, with you, that Religion will suffer from such contentions. But thank God we have received an "immovable Kingdom." I greatly value my present freedom from the ferment of Colonial politics; Litigation and animosity will accord with the peaceful character of the blessed gospel. "The servant of the Lord must not contend."

[MS 747]

D^r Clarkes Commentary on the New Test. was sent out to you and Invoiced in Bro. Samuel's Invoice - But that was done without any knowedge by Mr Fleming - You sent some money by - which (tender Lamb) she laid out, (perhaps only in part) and the Books were sent to you - now what I wish, is, that you would right the business yourself in setting with Sam^l who also will rightly deduct what has thus been overcharged when he settles with mathau.

Let me often hear from you, and my best love [avail?] Brothers, Sisters & most especially Grandmother. Kind regards to M^rs Thomas Hassall & little ones

I remain your aff Bro: W Lawry

in the Lord Jesus Christ

Rev^d Thomas Hassall

[MS 748]

4

The Rev^d Thomas Hassall Colonial Chaplain, Parramatta, New South Wales.

Bro Laury Rec^d 26/11-26 an^d

M^r Stolles has written about my [being your? indecipherable] of £10 - But situated as I am in Cornwall, and my Dear M- being [in?] Abraham's Bosom, tho' I cease not to be your Brother I shall not draw £10 till I hear from you again. W L.

St Austele, Cornwall July 13, 1826

My Dear Brother, Though I have written you several letters lately it is proper I should acknowledge with thanks your's of the 3 March/26. Advising me of Jonathan's having drawn on my [indecipherable] Mr Fleming for £100. - To this I would say that I have not smallest objection to fall in with your plan of meeting Hancox's demands jointly, - but I am much surprised that Bro. Jonathan has not sent me any wool from the last shearing- I advanced £200 in goods for Bro. Samuel & Jon: and I have no cash to part with, if Jon: sends me the wool, I will hand the £100 to Hancox. I am exceeding obliged to you and to Bro. Samuel for writing now and then

[MS 750]

about my temporal concern or I should not know ought of them, I declare it is quite shameful in bro. Jonathan to treat one so. But I know the good soul thinks no harm.

I give bro. Jon: 10 per cent on the proceeds of the Estate, for his trouble & management - And I would most cheerfully give either you or bro. Sam^l another 10 per cent. if you would become joint Agents with him & let him have regular accounts and returns. Mr Howe would then be superceded. I am sorry that "pet mare" died foaling. But more so to hear of Tom's conduct the more I know of the squabbles of NS. Wales, the more I am disgusted with small communities. I am glad you [are] to be

[MS 751]

near the Dear Family.

Your cannot think how the letters which I have been receiving this week distress me - most of them were addressed to my precious Mary let us my Dear brother [indecipherable] to gain a meeting for her [indecipherable] the world of spirits - [indecipherable] soon be. May not the quarrels or the losses of the present would draw or drag our hearts away off the Lord Jesus and his heavenly Religion - I hope to write you again next month.

I remain your very afft. Bro. W. Lawry.

PS My sweet babes are well & send you their kisses & to their Aunt (your Dear Wife) and Cousins. My heart is very sad-