Davis’ Straits, South Eastern Bay, Whale Fish Island
July 11^th 1845

Loving wife,

            This leaves me Quite well hopes it will find you and the family the same we Landed here on the 4^th Inst. all well Excepting of one who is to bee sent home by the Transport we have got Every thing out of the Transport or will have to day, we will start from this for the North in a day or two I have seen more of the whalers as yet and I Daeent think I will see any of them by the state of the season they will be all through Melville Bay & bee over to the west Land before we can see them by whate I have from the natives here, Last winter was very mild and the ice all gon from this Quarter Early in May, they Likewise Acquaint me of several of the Whalers having got fish, My Brother, 2 if not 3. St. Andrew 1 if not 2 Parker from Hull 2 several others, but I daeent Remember there names bee so good as new of Dundee about this, and a few lines to the Manager of the Alexander he is a very fine man and tell him that I have Great hopes of the shipes being all well fished this Season, it hase not been known this many years to the is to brake up so soon I trust we will have very little Trouble in Reaching Lancaster Sound and then to Barrows Straits Since I left London I have been thinking how you might Receive 20 or 30 pound from the same man my life is Insured with, it will pay intrest the same as £500 I got no doubt you will bee short before your pay comes on, and If so you write to that gentleman you have his adress, David Leys is is Quite well, I am Glade to acquaint you that Sir John Franklin as Captain R.N. is Quite will and Engaging his helth much Better than when in London, he is a fine Gentleman we have Divine Service twice Every Sunday very good, indeed, he mind me very much of Dr. Kid on the whale, we are all happy one with the other he allows no Swearing on board nor no high words whate they have to say they must Repeat it to the 1^st Lieut I hope William is here before this comes to hand James Must bee in about the same time when you ha[X]^[1] the Occasion to write them, Remember there Father to them it will bee a long time before I have it in my power to write you again, we have Porvisions for three years of Everything both Ships is very Deep — no Doubt you will think Long but you must not trouble your mind About me, it is orderd to me to bee here wheather it bee for Good or bad no one knows but god he is the only one I put my trust in. If I allwise know you wase well, I would bee m[X]^[2] happier whate is to come of my three Dear young ones If anything is the mater with you but I tru[X]^[3] the Lord will Spaire you and them so that I may Engage you and them for a number of years yet we are not to call old I will inclose a line to my Banker in London so that you can forward to him wh[X]^[4] you are short of money and I think he wil[X][5] forward you a moderate thing untill you Receive your pay and when it is in your power pay Every one but daunt hurt yourself— heave in mind whate I mentioned to you be for Take care of yourself the [Gracing] up Family would Take all from you some of them—

I am sorry to say I Lost my Spy Glass on the Passage out when we were Drawing nige the Ice Bergs that is the only thing I want but the 1^st Lieut is very good and Purser the both makes me very welcome to th[X]^[6] & S. John Franklin, Every officer in the Navy [finds] his own Glass I wase ever in the Hopes of seeing My Brother Charles but Daunt think I will now after hearing the state o the country If I hade I would no Doubt get one from him, —

I think I will Drope Mr Enderby a few lines in London, I have been A Number of years in this cantry but I never saw at so warm as we hase been this last three days the Miscatties is very thick I have been sadley annoyed—with them my face and hands is all Swolled by them and the chi[X]^[7] part of the crew the same way but we will find it cold [anay] in a few months— we have hard [in] [^are^] 68,- out of that one Sargen & Com[X]^[8] [five] & six marines. I have nothing more to say Give my best, Respects to Robt Forbes and all Friends may the Lord bee with you and my Dear Family, for three years if not the augh hope that time, keep yourself Easy about my Trust wee will meet Again. Remember me to William Gaudy Wife & Family

Bidding you all Goodby
Remains your Loving
Husband
James Reid

Latitude 68°59’N Longitude 53°13’W The Transport starts [X] this Evening for London July 12^th but I daeent think We will before Monday 14 I Daunt think Sir John will Start on Sunday there wase Blankets served out to day to The people I look two and [marked]

            J.R.

P.S. I Spoke the Brig Banchory of Aberdeen Mowat master all well 27^th June in Latit 64°03’N Longitude 63°09W he wase fishing for Cod it wase Calm at the time and the Cod wase thousand all Round the Ship we caught a number of them her owners name is A. & W. Nico[X] If he is not arrived be so good and call on these gentleman and mention this to them they will bee anxious to here about h[X]

            J.R.

[1] have
[2] much
[3] trust
[4] what
[5] will
[6] Theirs?
[7] chief
[8] “company”

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