[WESTERN DISTRICT, VICTORIA] Entire letter written by John Simpson of Cowtan & Bland, Belfast (Port Fairy), addressed to James Greig of Glen Ronald Station near Wickliffe. 2 April 1859.

Manuscript in ink, 1 page, written on the first side of a quarto bifolium of blue paper; headed ‘Belfast, 2 April 1859’, the letter is addressed to ‘Mr. James Greig, Glen Ronald’, and is signed at the foot ‘Truly yours, Cowtan & Bland’; front panel addressed to ‘Mr. James Greig, Glen Ronald by Wycliffe [i.e. Wickliffe]’, with 4d emblem postage stamp tied by reversed ‘6’ barred numeral (Belfast) and oval cancellation in black ‘BELFAST / VICTORIA AP 1’ (the previous day’s date!) and annotated by the receiver ‘1859, Cowtan & Bland, Belfast, 2 April / John Simpson &c &c.’; original folds, very clean and well preserved.

This commercial letter was sent to James Greig, owner of Glen Ronald Station, which was situated a little to the west of Lake Bolac, quite near to where John Dixon Wyselaskie would build his Narrapumelap homestead in 1873. It was written by John Simpson, an employee of Cowtan & Bland, prominent Belfast (Port Fairy) general merchants and carriers whose bullock wagons were housed at a large warehouse on Bank Street.

The letter reveals interesting details about medical emergencies, health insurance, transport of supplies, and the general communications network in the Western District in the late 1850s.

Full transcription of the letter:

‘Dear Sir,

The man you name as suffering from Ophthalmia had better be forwarded here where he will be admitted to the Hospital. We presume the subscription you speak of will cover the Expences [sic] of his travelling and leave him a few shillings besides. We forwarded Goods as per Bill. Parcels sent you to Caves at Chatsworth [mid-way between Caramut and Lake Bolac] as advised when forwarded. Should you not have already sent for them tell whoever goes that Bottles are packed in the Tarpaulin. We have not yet had any chance of forwarding Arsenic. Cause the enclosed to reach Miss Ronald immediately on your receipt of this and oblige,

Truly yours / Cowtan & Bland

[postscript] Mrs Hutcheson and Dr & Mrs Russel have arrived at Melbourne.‘