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Sobraon
9 February 1885, 11am
My dear Chris,
Just a line to say we are outside the Heads and begun our voyage home under favourable circumstances. We make a freight and passage £5200 – not so bad in these times.
I have not left money for you as I am short myself, but I think you should wait for some time to see the result of this depression in the sugar business. It may depreciate the value of property very much for a time. Then would be the time to buy.
Have a letter waiting for me by 10 May at home, telling me all your ideas of how things will turn. By that time I will see if I can spare you a hundred or two.
The land I bought in Gippsland I had valued. It is worth nearly double what I paid for it, so I will not sell it at present.
On our way to St Helena I will write and tell you how we got on, and any ideas I may have of what you might do to make money – which is the chief aim of all.
I hope you will avoid the fever you speak of and keep in good health, live well and take a little generous wine every day.
Wishing you success and the best of health.
I am always your loving Father,
Jas A Elmslie