Letter written by Henry Ebenezer MacDonald - Harris County Texas John Hendry 13 May 2001 ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ************************************************************************** Transcript of a letter from Henry E. MacDonald of Houston, Texas, to his brother Roderick in Melbourne, Australia. Houston, Texas Feb 17th 1877 My Dear Roderick, In a long time we never had the pleasure writing to one another or hearing of one another . It may be, you may think, that it is on my side the fault lays but I have wrote to you a long time ago but did not receive an answer. I thought probably you were not there or the letter went astray. I sent a letter same time to Inverness but received no answer, so I let the matter go on from month to month untill one day I received a newspaper with the death of my Father. I thought that surely there will be a letter along with but no letter. I delayed writing because I had lost your and Fathers address by fire so I was left in the dark. but I wrote to Mr Forsyth, editor of the Inverness Advertiser who delivered it to John MacLennan. From thence it went to Glasgow where I received a letter from Alick dated Jany 1st. So Roderick there was not much fault part. Leaving all aside, I hope this will reach you. As soon as I got the address from Alick I sent papers to him, also to you. Annie is well also, the little boy whose name is Roderick for you. I named him before he was born. He is a smart little fellow and looks just like you. He is two years on the 11th of this month. Now Roderick I do not know whether this letter may reach you, so I will not write Page 2 untill I hear from you, when I will write you a long long letter. I have wrote a long letter to Mother. I received a Weekly Mail from Alick last Thursday. Mother is well, also John, Alick & Maggy. I could write you a great deal of news but defer it untill I hear from you. How is Mrs Macdonald. It seems to me to be a dream that you are married. Let us know all about it when you write. I am in very good health, just as young as I was ten years ago, and never forgot when you and “I” paidet in the burn together, or the time when you got hold of the mouse in the bed in Islay and other little things that happened during the happy happy childhood days I will close these few lines. Hoping that you will receive them with best wishes and a happy New Year I remain ever as before Your Affectionate Brother H. E. Macdonald P.S. Remember me to Mrs Macdonald though I realy do not know her first name. Good night. Be sure and write soon if you receive these few lines . Address Henry E. Macdonald Machine Shop Care of H and T .C. RRd. Houston Harris County Texas