Originals were unfolded, flattened, given acid-free envelopes and returned to donor.
Acquisition Source
Mrs. Gail Manson of White Lake
Scope and Content
From a description of the letter in Peter Hessel's book, McNab: The Township: 'Laird to Allan from Ballston Spa (near Saratoga Springs, New York). He acknowledged just receiving his son's "first letter this twelve months past, dated in December". It had missed him during an earlier stay at the spa, was sent to Hamilton and then forwarded to Ballston Spa again. The Laird had spent most of the summer of 1850 in Hamilton. "Sir Allan has used me most shamefully - I have got no settlement whatever effected with him for my Ward; he has offeredland, but no money as yet, nothing but promises, promises - all the time I was in Hamilton I never condescended to speak to him, and neverwill." He complained that others were "using him badly" as well. "Every person is tearing at me as if they would not wish to leave a shirt on my back, nor a spoon to sup my porridge with", and he wrote that on many nights in the past year he had to go to bed "supperless". He was still engaged in lawsuits. He had intended to go to McNab Township from Hamilton, but his leg was bothering him too much: "I could not ride one mile on horseback from the state of my leg, I therefore was obliged to delay until the leighing was good". He hoped to remain at Ballston Spa for about a month. He did not mention anything about going to the Orkney Islands. This is the Laird's last letter from North America in the collection.
Notes
The originals were returned after scanning.
Related Material
See Peter Hessel's book, McNab: The Township for a broader history of the Laird's settlement and occupation of the area.