19 Anerley Park
London S.E.
24 July 1891
My dear Chris,
I must send you a few hasty lines, not being very well and then ???? ???? my life.
I have told the Balchins that I will meet their draft here and ???? the exchange. Of course you will place me in funds as early as convenient and let me know what further business you mean to take up in the present state of finances in Queensland. A cash down business should be done, especially for such commodities as you propose dealing in.
We are busy packing our things up ready for a move to Lancing, and Archie went off last Saturday as 2nd mate of the Gulf of Mexico to Glasgow to oblige the captain. He is there now. I don’t know if he will care to stay. I wrote the manager of the Company. He says he is very glad to get him but is uncertain what he can offer. I expect to hear today. He may come home again but I am afraid not. Both he and all at home are greatly disappointed.
The Orient people are desirous of having him and made us a promise that he should get rapid promotion, but I doubt if this could be carried out seeing that two or three of their old ships may be sold at any moment and the officers are on their hands. He has a wish to get a command as soon as possible in the Gulf Line – he may in two or three years.
At the present state of business at Brisbane you could not be ???? more with any prospect of success until the country pulls around again. If he had a ship, and you saw your way to offer him a position worth having, I have no doubt he would come – but more of this later.
We have letters from Alec and yourself 29 May. Does not your mail go by way of Normanton? I see your letters have the Townsville postmark. It is to be hoped that your Government won’t stop your railway work until completed. This would be a nuisance.
Did you notice the extraordinary disappearance of Jack Baker Chief Mate of the Lusitano the day before the ship sailed from Sydney? Nothing has been seen or heard of him. He was brother to Alfred Baker who was with me so long and a great friend of Archie’s.
Give our love to Alec and say we will try and send a few lines next week. If I hear from Archie before closing, this will tell you what he says.
Your affectionate father,
Jas A. Elmslie
PS: I told Balchin to cable you at ???? as where ????.
JAE