Calcutta,
May 2nd1861
I shall write every
Dear Mother,

We arrived here safe on Monday last., after a passage of 122 days. We had a good deal of rough weather and lost 3 top gallant masts as the vessel rolled very much. I am sure that you will be glad to hear that I have recovered my chest, as the Sarah and Emma is here and I had no difficulty in getting it. I also received two letters from you dated Feb and March. I know you must have felt greatly my outrageous conduct but I can tell you that I have also felt the sinfulness and selfishness of my conduct and I am determined by God’s help to lead a new life. I know the grief and unhappiness I have caused you and the inconvenience I have put you all to, that I cannot undo, but all I can do to remedy it I will as soon as I can. I think it best for me not to return by this vessel, as I would not have much money but I will try and do the best I can for myself, as I can make more money in these countrys than by going home. I intend to try and get to New Zealand or some where there as there is very little comfort at sea, altho I never enjoyed better health at present., but you must try and bear up against this heavy trial and with the help of the Most High I will see you all again, and where-ever I go I shall write to you, and as soon as I have anything worth sending to you I will. But to ease your mind I can tell you that I have given up the cause of my misfortunes as I have not the slightest desire for it when I do not taste it at all.

I passed by the place where poor Munce was lost. The river is very dangerous as there is a great current. Calcutta is 100 miles up from sand heads. It looks beautiful in some parts, all sorts of tropical vegetation growing down to the waters edge and the banks are interspersed with Palace like structures, in fact Calcutta is well called the City of Palaces. All sorts of birds alight on the yards and ropes of the vessel and are so tame as to alight on deck but the excessive heat takes away the pleasures of the sight. I was very sorry to hear about poor Davy, but hope he will turn up and also about Fanny Knox. The "Jane porter" that was launched when I was at home slipped past us the other day. I must bring this bring? epistle to a conclusion but you need not answer it as I shall be left before an answer could come. Give my love to sisters and Brothers, Miss Lascelles, Joe Mr Pilson etc. and believe me your repentant son,

James C. Parkinson.

I thank you for the little book and hope that you will live to see all your prayers answered and I feel that the will to try and keep up. Every cloud has a silver lining, and you will see that I can be a man