Barque Dispatch
Shanghai, China,
July 19th 1865
My dear Mother,

Altho I do not know where we are bound to yet as the mail is going in a day or two I thought it better to write as I know that you are all anxious. I expected before this to be back, but it is a yet uncertain when we will be going there and, and I am afraid to leave the ship as times are not good here but I thank God that I am in good health. We arrived here from Iloilo with a cargo of sugar after a short passage of twenty days. I hope that we shall soon be going to Australia again as I am tired of this country and it is very hot and there are any quantity of mosquitoes which are troubling. While I write trade is dull here, and I have just heard that the Caffers? have broken out in the Cape. The Adventure? ‘Iron Clad’ has just sailed with troops for that place.

I have very little to tell you but I hope that it will not always be so. I hope you are all well, and that some of my dear sisters will settled in life when I get a chance to hear from you as I hope to be when I get back. Give my most affect love to Miss Lascelles, Joe, Brothers and Sisters and all friends and believe me,

Yours affect,

James C. Parkinson.