Eighteen Thirty-Eight, May 21

Captain Gordon, George Begg, Adam Hay, the Sherrif, Harry and James, Peter, Sir A. Leith, Wm Strachan.

Correct for May 21

Corgarff, Buchan, Glenlivat, Aberdeen, Marischal College, Badenyon, Blackhillock, America, Glenbucket, Kindyside, Beltar, Sir A. Leith, Towie, New Biggin, Old Morlick, Van Dieman's Land, Canada, Wm Stracham, NetherColquhoich, the village of Niagara.

Charles would have been 18 when he wrote this letter.

Consumption: tuberculosis of the lungs

From C.B.

For/ Mr. James Begg
St Thomas County of
Middlesex via London
Upper Canada

21st May 1838

Milltown of Towie 21st 1838

I am happy to inform you that I have now finished my studies at College, and I am anxious like many more to get some doing for myself. I think I would like to be a schoolmaster or clerk or any thing of that kind, that might happen, but I would not be a parson nor a petty fogging lawyer. I think a doctor a good business abroad but a very bad one at home, few of them, however keep their health abroad or endure long in this cold climate when they return. I have a strong desire to go to your place of refuge provided you could inform me of any situation in the same line as your own, or a school master any where there. The situation with you would not be so difficult to be procured with you as

here. The spring work here is nearly over for a season, but owing to the severe winter and the great fall of snow it has been much later than usual. A very short time go the people about the head of Corgarff (Corgarff Aberdeenshire ) had only begun the ploughing, and many of them have no expectations of meal in their crop. The weather all along has been very unfavorable for growth in any thing and if it continue so much longer there will be a scarcity of meal for the cattle. The winter was unusually severe and continued without intermission for nearly 15 weeks. The prices of Grain are as follows – Oats per quarter 18/ to 25/. Beer per quarter, of 52lbs per bushel 22/ to 27/ meal 32/ to 38/ per sack of 28o lbs – Cattle, horses, sheep xx are in good demand according to quality. Sheep which had been sent for pasture during the winter down to the coast side nd down to Buchan were a great deal worse off than those which were kept at home as the storm blew from that direction about Glenlivat there was scarcely any snow where>

about Aberdeen and thereabouts, the snow as immensely deep. There is a new Marischal College building in Aberdeen at the back of the old one, the foundation stone of which was laid last Autumn; there are also a great many other splendid buildings erected and in progress. During last year there was a new Banking company established in Aberdeen, under the name of the North of Scotland Banking Company, where I had some expectations of getting in as a clerk, but whether I will be successful or not time will determine. In the course of last year also there was a great fuss made about the election of a whig-radical member, instead of Captain Gordon, but it came to late, for the Captain was returned with a majority of above 300. My uncles in Badenyon and Blackhillock with their families are well. George Begg has given over thinking about America now, he has been looking at several farms in this quarter. In Glenbucket in the time of the storm Adam Hay who lived in the (Uyper)town was lost a short distance from his own house and lay for days before he was found; after he was found a rumour was spread that he had not got fair play, and the Sherriff was called out to examine into it, but found no evidence of any thing of the kind. Two of the family of Tollafraik in Kindyside, Harry and James have now died in consumption and the youngest daughter is fast following, (Jane or Sam) died not long ago at the (piece torn from letter next to seal) Harry about two years ago. The good folks of Beltar (torn) well, Peter I was hearing had been out as a volunt (torn) more from the same quarter. My Grandfather is a (torn) and is much plagued with his right arm, which (torn) the elbow, he is very anxious to hear about you, (torn) tell you

that he wonders much how you have (torn) so long in writing and is much afraid on account of this war which is raging among you. – There is not nearly so much word about going to America as there was some time ago, not with standing the dear rent paid for the land. Two of Sir A. Leith's (farms) in Towie New Biggin and Old Morlick have given at this setting a good deal more than double the former rent. The free passages granted to emigrants had little effect on people here about. Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania: Separated from New South Wales as an independent colony in 1823) and not Canada as former is now the goal. This war with you has deterred many halfresolved emigrants to your quarter; this letter, however is sent with Wm Stracham, a cousin of my father's, who lived at NetherColquhoich, and is mostly 'a Jack of all Trades', the village of Niagara is his destination. It would give us all a great pleasure to receive a letter from you and get an account of some of the transactions of the war wh- was raging in your quarter. All here are in good health and wish this may find you and all friends the same and uninjured by the turbulent among you.

I ever am Yours truly,
Chas. Begg Jnr

P.S. It would give all great pleasure to see you in Scotland and hear from you everything about Canada – Mother Father and the rest join me in kindest compliments to yourself and all friends. CB.