Newcastle
Tuesday 18th 1868 (No month)
My dear Mother,

As the mail will soon be leaving I thought I would let you know that I am well and getting on as well as can be expected. I did very well with my speculation in Rockhampton. I bought £6.0.0 worth of fruit and fish to that place and sold them for £20.0.0 so that is not so bad these hard times. This is a lovely place. A little distance up the river from here the country abounds with orange and lemon groves and all sorts of vegetables. When I get sufficient of the needful to gather I should like to purchase a bit of land somewhere about here and settle down ‘Man proposes and God disposes’. However it may turn out I am trying to do my duty in the state of life I am in at present and leave the result to him.

I hope your are getting on comfortably. I could send you on five or ten but my capital is small yet and in this country money makes money quick but if ever you are short say so although as soon as I can send you anything worth while I will. Give my love to all and believe you me your affect,

James C. Parkinson.