Tirvagan, Islay Scotland

4^th August 1792

Dear Cousin,

I received your letter dated the 1^st day of January, 1792 which gives great pleasure and joy to hear of your welfare in that place and the rest of my friends. Dear Sir, I understand by your letter that you was informed that I was a man of great circumstance which it will be too hard for me to be so in this place, but God be thanked. There is some worse and some better of than me.

And now my subject I will exactly tell you. This year I sold off all my stock to one Mr. Archibald Campbell in order to go off for that country. And the whole of it comes to one hundred and sixty pounds sterling money. But Shafield did not allow the bargain. As it was made to his consent, by reason I did not give him warn {ing] in time, because he was not willing to let any of his tenants away. But Dear Sir, if you return me an answer as soon as ever this comes, [as] to have what if [a] man of my circumstance will do in that country. As my dependence of going because our tact is near out and will be dearer than it was. As much again, you will sent me a full and exact account of yourself and your family, and the rest of your brothers; what way they are; and my Uncle, if he is in life; and the name of your ______________________. [---] because when people come to age in this country, always coming to poverty, which makes me willing to leave it, because of my children.

And Dear Cousin, I took this opportunity to let you know all of my mind. You are thinking that I am afraid to venture without great encouragement. I want nothing but a plain account of that country as we are under bondage in this part of the world. Or what way will a man that will bring a hundred and sixty pounds and three children of age, which I believe I can bring that free with me. I was lately in town and saw my brother Neill and he is but so and so, and told him all the content of your letter and also to the rest of my friends and they were all glad to hear from you. And my Mother is in life yet and hath something to leave upon it. There is three of my sisters married in the low country and two of them in the highlands. And tell you Father that your ___ Neill Brown is yet alive and he was very old man. And it is my opinion that his friends on his fathers side will be nothing the better of him, though I am the oldest and the nearest to him.

Dear Cousin, you will send me an answer as soon as possible and as more courage, an account as you think necessary, as I expect to be off next year. I received your letter in the 10^th of June last. You will acquaint me to my brethren - one James McNeill and that brethren _____ . [----} his letter in the same time I received your. You Sir, you will send me your letter in time as there is nothing can give me more joy that to receive it and a full account of your half brothers.

I have not more at present, but my wife and family joins me with our love to you and your family, and to my Uncle, if he is in life, and the rest of your brothers, and to my brother-in-law and his family.

Dear Sir, I am your sincere and

Cousin Alexander Brown

Direct as follows: Alexander Brown, Tirvagan, Islay, North Briton, Argyleshire, Scotland

Original: Neill Brown Collection #702, Perkins Library, Duke University

Transcribed by Bradley M. Buie, January 2000