Newdeep
June 28th 1853
Dear Mamma,

I was beginning to think that you had not received my letter and was just about to write another when yours came. I am very glad to hear that all are in good health and more comfortable than when I left. Capt. Scott gave me as much money as paid for a decent suit of clothes and some other trifles as I did not like to get more here as they are made in the Dutch fashion which is not the most commendable. I am sorry to have to tell you that the Java sparrow is dead. The rats eat one of the wings of it. It is pity after having survived so long but I have still something to bring alive from Batavia. That is a fantail pigeon which flew aboard of us from the Dutch Guard-ship. I shall want 4 blue flannel shirts for next voyage. I suppose that you can get a good pattern from some one. The one that Sarah made for me were a great deal too short as they crept in when washed and they would be the better of being double backed and sewed with worsted, and 4 blue flannel singlets without sleeves, 2 pairs of coloured flannel drawers . That is all that you can be getting ready as the less clothes a person takes to sea with him the more he will have at the end of a voyage and vice versa. I suppose that you did not get the good clothes that I left in Liverpool. Please let me know when you answer this which direct to Liverpool as I shall be leaving this in a week or 10 days. I shall not want very much clothes only just while I am ashore as for stockings it is useless taking more than ½ dozen pair as except going round the cape and coming up the channel was the only time I wore either shoes or socks since I left England.

Capt. S and his wife are gone to Amsterdam. She is exceedingly delicate. One of her lungs is entirely gone. I do not think she can live very long. I received the letter that you sent here first. This is the 3rd one since I have been here and also the enclosed cards with its beautiful lines.

I hope you will have some good potatoes for me when I get over as they are very dear here and not of the best quality. In fact there is no part of the world where they grow to such perfection as Paddy’s Land. I do not like this place over much. The land is all one flat and cut up with canals, the houses all tiled and the windows latticed but I never saw such a place for decorating the cabins of the cargo lighters along side are as well fitted up as any drawing room and the outside are ornamented with drawings and gilding. Our ship is a great curiosity here as she is the largest hat has been here yet. She is clear now. She brought upwards of 2200 tons of cargo. I expect she will be going to Australia next voyage, but she will be along time in Liverpool as she has to get a new fore and mizzen mast. I shall try and get a few presents to bring over although the principal thing in the shop windows is fancy pipes but as that is not the fashion among our ladies they would be of no use to you. Give my must affect love to Grandma and father aunt, Sisters, and Brothers and believe me your affect son.

Jas.C. Parkinson