Letter from Philip Snape to his uncle Rev. R.J. Davies. He says the last mail will...

Letter from Philip Snape to his uncle Rev. R.J. Davies.

He says the last mail will before now have doubtless have put Davies in possession of "the original of the enclosed Bill for £8 - being the amt. of interest upon the £200 " he remitted to him in Davies's letter of 22 May last. He is rather premature in this remittance but the money to him is "well worth double the amount which" he is required to pay.

He intends devoting every sixpence to increase their cattle herd, & doubts not but that in a few years this description of stock will have resumed the high prices they used to sell at when he could at once dispose of them and they should realise a very handsome sum. His brother will now be able to secure a rather advantageous partnership in a station and relieve Philip from the expense of his keep. The times fortunately for their limited means very good for a new beginner, but cattle especially sheep have risen since May last, the former fifty and the latter more than 100%. If Philip retains his Govt. appointment they will both do very well, but he is afraid the Department in which he is serving will soon be abolished as they are paid by the Home Government; there is the probability of obtaining another berth or a year's salary which is the general practice at home on the abolition of a Government office. He has, though, to remove all doubts, petitioned the home Govt. & hopes his appeal wont be made in vain; should it prove otherwise he has not determined on what course to steer. He thinks of leaving the Colony as it wouldn't be worth his while to join James unless on a larger scale; the tending their small herd he will leave to James unless circumstances cause him to alter his intentions. Whatever happens his uncle will receive the interest regularly. The loss of Philip's salary will be a great check to James's advancement without other funds as he will have to sell from his herd sufficient to meet the expenses he will have to pay in the shape of taxes to the Government. The station on which his cattle will run will cost annually £10; this run will extend over thousands of acres and so long as his brother pays his taxes it will be his, he will therefore as well as Philip strive to stock a portion of this land so that they will in course of time create a source from which money will spring. This country is a magnificent one in that one may "experience the burning rays of a tropical sun or the more genial breezes of a climate like Italy". "Immense fortunes will be and may be made here, but a stepping stone to one must be first laid for ex nihilo nihilo fir is an axiom which cannot be disproved". He can see no reason to prevent them if the means are afforded them from making a very handsome independence, and in after years they will have if not an independence at least a "comfortable competence" for so long as they reside in the spot. If it were in his power he would much prefer investing his money in sheep as it would be by far the most lucrative investment, as there is some risk attending the Branch of Colonial industry, he would not attempt it with a capital less than £1000. He is astonished at persons who can command capital from £500 to £5000 would remain in England if they only knew could be done here he is sure they would "immigrate" instead of being the drones of society they could become most useful members of it and afford employment to numerous of their starving countrymen. The colony will always afford a good field for investment and woollens will always be used and the material for the making of them will in a few years be supplied from the Colony, altogether now there is no country can produce wool superior in texture to the Australian, the German at present commands the best price in the markets but when the Australians have taken plentiful more time will be paid to the sorting of wool. Interest on first rate securities is about 7%, the Savings Bank gives £10 but the investment would be as secure as any at home. The partnership his brother is about to enter into is with Mr. Pickering who has been residing in the colony about 2 years during nearly the whole of the time he was living in Philip's quarters, on Philip's representation Mr. P.'s father sent him out £500 to commence settling with, with the promise in the autumn of £500 more. He also expects a handsome remittance from Lady Shrewsbury who is some connexion of his mother. Mr. P. during his days of poverty contrived to fall in love with a young lady the daughter of an officer who like himself had not a sixpence, they were engaged for some months but as he was refused assistance from home & could find no employment he was compelled to break off the match, when one day much to his joyful surprise he received a bill for £500 & immediately renewed the match and in a few days got married. They are both highly educated & he will rejoice in securing for James so comfortable a home. Mr. P. generously offered James & pressed him to receipt a share in the station he might purchase but his brother refused as the means he had were barely sufficient particularly as he had a wife, but James promised to give all his aid until he got a berth. Philip has now in the Bank £235 - his salary quite unencumbered leaves him after paying all expenses £9 per month. He thinks therefore they will both do very well. He thanks Davies for the act of kindness which has relieved his salary of £30.

Written from .........agery Newtown, near Sydney, N.S.Wales.

Directed to Aberhafesp Rectory, Nr. Newtown.