Will Cameron 1842

“ Robert Simmey,Aberdeen,
from Will Cameron, London 1842”

by

Eunice Shanahan

The fifth letter is also from Will Cameron in London to his uncle Robert Simmie Esq (previously the name was written as Simmey) The stamp has been removed from this one too. The three postmarks are London Lombard Street Maltese cross 19 FEB 1842 Edinburgh CDS in Red FEB 21 1842 and the boxed 3–line ABERDEEN FEB 21 1842 E date stamp in black. The pencil notes are
Wm Cameron about Property and 19 Feby 1842 Wm Cameron about Property & security for Mr Young

The letter is also from London, but he gives no actual address. The watermark on the paper is WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1841 .

London 19th Feb 1842
My dear Uncle and Aunt
I received your letter of 16th inst, this morning. I have intended writing you for some days but had nothing particular to say.

I was exceedingly glad to hear that you had a last received a letter from Robert and that he was well. I have had no word from him, but by the Steamer just arrived I had a few lines from Mr Lyle, he says the Property remains in status quo, no one has ever made an enquiry regarding it with a view to purchase and describes business as being worse than ever, in a postscript he adds
“your Brother Robert is in his usual health, he does not appear to be doing much and his funds must have run low, as I was obliged to advance him 25 dollars lately.”

This does not seem to agree with his letter.

He then continues with other family news. It is interesting that the ship could not get into London because of the thick fog, but that was a feature of life in London in the mid 19th century.

I wrote Helen Reid a short time since telling her I would become security for the £50 she advanced to Amelia and that I would retain this sum from the first remittance that came home. I earnestly hope it may do Amelia good. Young wrote me that he and his wife were to sail from Dundee on Wednesday – they are not yet arrived although the vessel was due here yesterday, I suppose owing to a thick fog which prevails and is now as bad as ever. However I expect them at high water this afternoon, I am not sure but what Helen Reid accompanies them.

The next part of the letter is about himself and his situation, and I was surprised at the comment as he is a Scot.

With regard to my own affairs, I have left P & Logan since the New Year and only call there to receive any letters which may arrive for me. I have not yet met with anything here to suit me and am quite open to any engagement. I would go to Toronto with pleasure, and should be glad to hear from you or the Parties interested, with particulars, the nature of the Business, whether a retail store etc. I need say nothing about my own capabilities at present, but I think on this head I would suit the situation.I was intending to endeavour if possible to get a Situation under Government, but I would much prefer going abroad and more especially to any place where I would have the Standard of England over my head. Isn’t Mr Strachans brother Bishop of Toronto? I shall be anxious to hear from you and trust you will write me soon on this subject.

I have had another bad cold but am now recovering, everyone is complaining of it here, I hope you and Aunt have escaped. Remember me to all enquirers and believe me, my dear Uncle and Aunt
Your affectionate nephew
Will Cameron.

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