Calcutta,
May 31st 1861
My dear Mother,

I received two letters from you when I arrived here and one by this mail dated 18th of April. As yet I have enjoyed excellent health ever since I left Liverpool and the Capt. whose name is Hepburn has never had any occasion to say anything to me and is very kind to anyone who is well behaved and tries to do his duty. The ship is going to the Mauritius and we are advertised to sail on the 10th of next month but I will write again before we sail and let you know as I was thinking of going from here to Melbourne or New Zealand if I could but again perhaps it would be better for me to make the voyage in the ship and then when I would get home I would have a good bit of money and be able to see you again but I will try and do all for the best. The Sarah and Emma has sailed for London. There was an apprentice in her who was at school with my brothers in Belfast, the name of McKelvin, he said he would call and see you.

You need not be afraid of me now as I am determined to be a man and try and do some good for myself and you. I was very sorry to hear of David Hanna’s death. Surely God is good to such a wretch as me in sparing my useless life. May He enable me sometime to be able to testify that he can save to the very uttermost all who come to him, as I find that I am utterly helpless without his grace. Oh that I could feel as on I did. Then there would be nothing to fear, but I am well punished for my ingratitude. Truly the way of transgressors is heard. We had a sermon from a Minister the first Sunday we were here on board the ship and there is floating Bethel, and several churches. The weather is very hot and rainy but I am very well. The natives put all their dead in the river and it is very pleasant to see them floating past. I have seen seven or eight in one day. We can go ashore any time after 6 o’clock in the evening as we are moored close to the shore and after dark watch ‘the fireflies dance in the miggate? bows’. I will bring you something nice home if God spares me.

You will remember me to Aunt, Miss Lascelles, Joe etc. and to Brothers and Sisters and believe me,

Yours affect,

James C. Parkinson.

Remember me to the Conars