Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Elizabeth Blackburn - letter received from her son David Blackburn, 1787
SAFE / MLMSS 6937 / 1 / 2

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Mr Fancetts, No. 14 Craven Buildings, London.
4th April 1787.

My dear Mother,

In my letter to sister Betsy I said I was promised employment in a few days in the Navy. I was then in hopes of being appointed to the Bulldog sloop of war but was sent for to-day to the Navy Office and informed that a warrant is made for me appointing me Master of His Majesty's armed store ship Supply bound to Botany Bay now at Portsmouth and will sail in a few days. I did all in my power to decline accepting of this offer, but am told that I must go, unless I mean to throw myself entirely out of the Service. I am therefore to receive my warrant tomorrow and I suppose shall be ordered to Portsmouth immediately-I hope my chest is on its way to London. If so, brother Tom will forward it immediately to Portsmouth. If it is not, you had better send it by one of the coaches and write Tom word where and when it will be in London, for I am afraid they won't let me stay long enough in London to receive your answer to this. I am a good deal vexed at this voyage as I am by no means prepared for it, especially on such short notice -I want and must have more clothes, linen particularly. I must buy books, charts, etc. for the south seas, but where the money is to come from I know not, unless you can and I'm afraid you cannot, supply me with 10 pounds. My agent will advance me as much more when I receive my warrant, which would do pretty well, provided I get my chest in time which I am very much afraid of-if we should sail without it I shall be badly off indeed. You will write by return of post to me and direct to Mrs Fancett's who will if I am gone send your letter after me to Portsmouth and you had better write by the same post to Tom, that he may know how to forward the chest to me - it is not certain how long we shall be gone, whether two or three years, -but I will let you know more about it when I know more myself. I will write again tomorrow and let you know

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when I leave town and how to direct to me at Portsmouth. Give my love to sister Betsy and believe me your ever dutiful son,

D. Blackburn in haste.