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 Jan 1st 1900 My Dear Roderick, I know you are wondering why I do not write. Well, it is simply that I could not set my mind to write owing to so much other work in regards to lodges, but now I am at leasure, as I give up all Offices in all of them except the Caledonian. I am glad to see by your letter of Nov 21st that you were well when you wrote. I am glad to say that we are all well and we enter the New Year in good health. I received your paper all right many thanks. I received a letter from Alick dated Decr 11th. They was all well when he wrote. He had the pleasure of a visit from Robert. He was very much taken with him. He visited Inverness & other places. I suppose Robert will have lots to tell you when he arrives. I would have liked very much to have met him, but I am glad that he went to old Scotland, and seen our old home & it will bring to his memory that grand song “Scotland Yet” - Where the Heath Page 2 waves wild upon her hills and foaming frae fells Her fountains sing o’ freedom still As they dance down the dells and weel I lo’e the land my lads that girdled by the sea Then Scotland dales & Scotland vales and Scotland hills for me I’ll drink a cup to Scotland yet Wi’ a’ her Honours three The Crown, the Sceptre & the Sword I wish him Gods speed and that he will arrive all save to greet you all. Alick says he invited you to come to see him and that I must prepare & come too, but I am like yourself. It will be impossible for me to get there for a few years yet if I live. If we cannot do any better we can imagine that we are all there. I also had a letter from Rod Findlay about 10 days ago. He was well when he wrote. He received a letter from you. We have very fine weather for this time of year. Our Shops were closed since Christmas eve but I had work untill Saturday morning 10 o’clock so I am home to day and take Page 3 opportunity to write to all. I intended to send you the present invitation but forgot it. We had a nice time Halloween night and we are preparing to give a rousing time on the 25th. We are working on the Programme now. We are going to charge $1.00 per couple, and have a good time. Texas is raising a fund for the Transvaal Widows & Orphans, the British Club of Galveston is the head. They sent £250.00 on Saturday and more is going to follow. I am sending you todays Post. It is small but it is the 1st of the year. Now Roderick I will draw to a close. Hopping you had Merry Christmas and heartly wishing You and Yours, a Happy and Prosperous New Year, with best wishes from Myself & Annie I remain Your Affectionate Brother Henry Attached Hallowe’en Invatation refered to in the Letter ofJan 1st 1900 “When bleak- faced Hallowe’en returns, They get the jovial, rantin’ kirns, When Scottish folk of every station Unite in common recreation. Love blinks, wit slaps, and social mirth Forgets there’s care upon the earth.” ******** Yoursel’ an’ the gudewife, or gin aiblins ye hae nane, then yersel’ an’ ony lassie ye wale, are bidden to a gatherin’ o’ the Caledonian Society at the biggin’ o’ Mr. Tam Muat, in Brunner, on the 31st. of October, 1899. Ye neena fash yoursels aboot bein sae unco snod or weel-pit-an, for it’s jist an off-loof gatherin o’ a nievefou of Scottish folk. “Tae burn their nits, and pou their stocks, And haud their Hallowe’en Sae blythe that nicht.”