Bendigo,
New Chum Gully,
January 13th 1858
Dear Mother,
Direct. Mr Francis Stores, care of Mr Little, Bendigo, Victoria.
(Written on newsletter of Australasia)

It is now two months since I had a letter from you, as the October mail steamer was wrecked in the Red Sea and both mails have come in together.. I have only got one mail dated 9th Oct. but no Newspaper, but perhaps more will turn up soon. We are progressing favourably with our claim, being now 85 feet deep and I expect that in another month we will have the gold, as it is now pretty certain, as the party next to us has struck it. One claim ‘next but one’ made £500 last week and it is getting richer as it comes towards us and I think it is near time that I should get something as, as I have worked long and hard for it. I am glad to hear that you are all well and that things are going on satisfactory. I have not heard anything of Robt McUlloch yet perhaps he has gone to some other diggings, as soon as we strike I will send you a Deg likeness of myself which must content you until I can afford to transport the original.

I am much obliged to Frances for her pretty work and hope that I shall be able to bring you home some nice specimens of Gold in ..... This summer has been very hot, but it does not come so hard on me now as it used to do as I am my own master. We had a most violent squall the other day which blew down a great many tents and unroofed a good many buildings, mine among the number but a tent is not very costly in this country there not being much stone and lime about it. How do you like my letter paper. It saves my poor head a good deal of trouble as I have never yet licked the Blarney Stone. Give my love to Aunt E, Miss Lascelles, Mr West, Mrs and Joe S, Doctor Aicken, B. Thompson, Sisters and Brothers and believe me,

Your affect son,

James C. Parkinson