| Description | Moving down the Tamar, anchored near George Town, ready for the voyage to Port Phillip [Victoria. Australia]. Describes company and weather. Arrival of first war ship, the Polonius, seen in Launceston; hope that it will arrive in Sydney the same time they do: Mr Macarthur on baord, who will accompany Papa back by land to Hobarton; she joined him at Campbelltown; he laid stones for church at Longford and Morven. The Miss Walters were both seen, looking well. Upset at death of servant Somersett. Approval for Miss Williamson allowing Eleanor to go to Mrs Naylor's or Mrs Forsters, hoping Eleanor will be old enough "not be the worse of a little cake indulgence" and that she will not be presumptious or self-indulgent. Letters from aunts Simpkinson and Majendie indicate they are well. Timie [Timemernidic, a black boy adopted by the Franklins] is to be told Lady Farnklin hopes he has been a good boy, and that neither she nor Mr and Mrs Snashall forget him. Papa will write to Eleanor. Lady Franklin expects a letter from Eleanor at Sydney in a month's time. |
| Sender Location | On board the Tamar off George Town |
| Recipient | Eleanor Isabella Franklin |
| Transcript or Index | Written on board the Tamar off George Town
My dear Eleanor
We have been moving down the Tamar today in the schooner and are now (Saturday Evening) anchored within sight of the lighthouse at George Town. There we shall find the Tamar Brig into which we remove for the voyage to Port Phillip, its accommodation for horses being better than that of the Eliza. Our party consists of those you already know, Mr and Mrs Snashall (instead of Mrs Simon) and a free Constable, and in addition, of Captain Moriarty, and Dr Hobson, a very clever and agreeable young man, lately arrived from England. Sir George Gipps has been kind enough to write to the Port Masters and officers of the Mounted Police all along the road to give us every assistance in their power, and the Bishop also has kindly written to several friends in our behalf. We shall thus be helped as much as possible and if the weather is fair shall probably be able to accomplish our arduous journey. If on the other hand the rain should have begun, we may meet with much delay and difficulty, and be at last obliged to give up our scheme. We have had 2 days of heavy rain in this part of the island, attended on Friday evening by thunder and lightning. So far, it has probably done nothing far beyond both here and at Port Phillip. The Polonius has arrived at Launceston and is the first ship of war that has ever been seen there – Captain Hardinge is pleased at this circumstance, and also that he was the first to take a Christian Bishop in his ship to New Zealand. He will be coming round to Hobarton, and expects to be at Sydney at or about the time that we hope to arrive there. He has a visitor on board, Mr Macarthur, who will accompany your Papa by land to Hobarton.
I joined your Papa at Campbell Town and have seen him lay the stone of the church at Longford, and of a Scotch church at Morven 12 miles from Launceston. Mr Becher has joined us to act as A.D.C. during Mr Elliot’s absence. Your Papa leaves Launceston some time next week, and will probably be back at Hobarton about or before the middle of April.
We saw both the Miss Walters in their respective dwelling places, looking well and happy, and I was glad to find their conduct and manners were approved of.
Poor Somersett’s death has grieved me very much – he was a good man and a faithful servant.
I have told Miss Williamson that I approve of your going out with her to Mrs Naylor’s or Mrs Forster’s provided she sees no subsequent reason for regretting such a visit – I trust my dearest child that you are now old enough not to be the worse for a little cake indulgence, and that in situations in which you must necessarily be under less control than you are at home, you will exert control over yourself, and be careful to avoid all presumption and self-indulgence. It will always be the greatest satisfaction to me to allow you as much liberty as you can bear, that is to say all that you prove to me you can use with modesty, and forbearance and meekness. I had letters and the (Py…?) from yr. Aunts Simpkinson and Majendie, both well – the former just returned from the Rhine with which they were much pleased, but Louisa very glad to get back again. Emma was improving fast both in person and in mind.
I am glad to hear you have had the Miss Tabart to dine.
If you see Timie, tell him I hope he is a good boy and that I shall find him improved – Tell him that I do not forget him, neither do Mr and Mrs Snashall. Your Papa will write to you before he returns home. In the meantime he assures you of his love as does Sophy also – I expect to find a letter from you at Sydney about a month hence. You must tell me every thing that occurs – your most affect. Mama Jane Franklin
On board the Tamar off George Town March 30th 1839.
Give my kind love to Mary and tell her I am sorry to hear of the bad boat or of any thing that prevents her from being much with you. Tom goes with your Papa to Avoca.
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