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1867 LETTER OF ALEXANDER GIFFORD written to his half-brother, Patrick Gifford, in Scotland
GRANGE OF UMHLALI Dear Brother, Yours of the 30th of April I duly received, and was thankful to observe you were all in good health. You speak of James first. He is still far away, we had a letter from him saying we might expect him by December, after that another, saying the sickly season was on, earlier than he was then aware of, consequently might be in September. He is a long way off, in an unexplored territory close to the sea, on the far side of Africa, where it is considered no white man ever was before, I am not aware, that he has even any Kaffers with him (one white man) unless he gets some from an old great Zulu chief, which I will soon allude to, his servants were bushmen, that burrow in the ground, have no houses, or huts, their arms are spears, the point poisoned, and bows and arrows, the latter pointed too, with deadly poison, are find marksmen, even at a long distance, they get their poison from herbs. Now for the Zulu Chief, James had been riding on horseback for sometime in the direction of the far coast, when he saw 4 wives carrying a large fat man, on a thing like a large handbarrow, and had a very comfortable seat on it. He rode up to him, and thought he looked like a Zulu Chief, and addressed him in that language and they had a long conversation. Then he told him that he was Umpando's (the Zulu King's head Chief) and that they disputed, and that he left, with his whole tribe, and travelled on to where he was, many hundred miles, so that the King might not find him. He was exceedingly kind, and said since ever he came there, he never saw any stranger that could converse with him. He told James there were plenty of Eliphants, between there and the sea (far side) and he never had allowed any person to hunt, but his own tribe, but he was quite welcome, and he would give him every assistance he could. James gave him all the news of the Zulu country, and told him of the great fight on the banks of the Tugelas, between Umpando's Sons. I will not easily forget the sight of those that fled to this side, I continued the most of the day dressing the wounds of all that I thought might recover. The boys were up with me, they told their Mother that if I had had the waggon loaded with rags etc. they did not know when I would have got back. When I was vaccinating the Kaffers in this division (by Government orders) 17,000 and odds - several thanked me for dressing their wounds. I wish James was safe back, it is more than two years since he left. Sir Richd. Glyn writes him regularly, sends presents through the book post to him, he wishes him to get to England (his rental is £37,000 per annum and at his Uncle's death will be £80,000). He does not seem to forget that James saved his life at the risk of his own - he galloped down a hill till within ten yards, fired, its trunk was up to strike, but in place of striking the horse's back (the latter at full speed) it dropped perpendicular, and the huge bull Eliphant fell dead. Sir Richd. had wounded him, but not in a vital place, or he could not have gained on the horse, for he was a very fine one. James took him with him this trip. We have great reason for thankfulness we are blessed with good health, it is coming near to 2 years since Samuel died 26th August 1865, he was a very promising young lad, and a general favourite, and I have good reason to think that his, was a happy change, that ought to be our great care, to be of those for whom our Saviour suffered and died, and to believe in and rely upon him, as all our salvation and all our joy. Mrs G desires me to say, that she has delayed sending you the long promised box, waiting James's return, as she expects he will have some curiosities, worth sending. I gave a letter of introduction to Mr Alexr. MacLean, a son of the late Col. MacLean of the Queens Guards, was propiator of the Islands of Coll and Muck, likewise a good estate in Mull, these estates could not be sold, but with his consent, as he was the eldest son, rather than see his Father in trouble, he consented. The Guards is a very expensive regt. to all the officers, particularly the head, says the Col. He was here about two years before us, was a kind neighbour, particularly after our fire, and always very intimate. He had a younger brother (not quite so steady) - he is gone to India, to a Coffee planter there, I should have said a brother. My letters of introduction were to the Giffords and John Hannay, Buenos Ayres, as he intended sheep farming there - have learned he is on the way back here, as it is in a sad state thousands unemployed. I send you a Photograph of myself and James. You will see by mine I am ageing fast, nearly 65 years - James had his taken on his departure for the interior. A great many changes have taken place at home of late, Mother's death, the Grange given up and Mr Marshall's death. I saw my brother Elder, Mr Jordan Culquhasm's death, in the Free Press, Mr Dickson Knock, an old neighbour and others, and our Minister Mr Dunlop's Wife, she was a daughter of Culquhasm's. Upon economical principles we have not been taking a newspaper for some time, for the seventh time, we have been almost cleared of our stock from Lung sickness. The Courier we receive regularly and accept our best thanks. Things are in a bad state here. Many have been sold of late (Sugar Estates) under the cost of the plant and machinery - paying for which from 15 to 20 per cent - sunk many industrious hardworking people - for a 8 horse power engine and a 2 horse power donkey engine to drive the centrificalls, buildings, pane, coolers, etc. etc. costs £6000, then preparing the land, planting, cleaning, cutting, carting the corn etc. etc. One large estate with a 25 horse power engine independent of the donkey engine was seized by the creditors, and is doing nothing, the cane rotting on the ground, the debts are upwards of £40,000, it ruined a very steady active Merchant in Durban, who thought to carry them through, a Mr Kock, he and I, were very friendly, his is a Sekotchman. I was at Durban trying to sell our arrowroot, for nearly a week, but could not, there is a Company here, they came from Glasgow, that has bought about 70 tons at £42 per ton. I offered ours at the same, say 150 tons, from 3 persons, but they would not take it, they buy only the very best. We have found out this season how to make a first rate article, compared it with their crack samples, I asked them is not mine the best. They said it was as good, I said you know it is the best altho' you do not like to say it. Is Mr Andrew Hannay's address still 12 Fenwick Street, Liverpool? I mean to send it again to his charge and will address him so, please on receipt write him to that effect.
Mrs G and all the family unite with me in kind regards to Mrs G, yourself and family, and all friends at home, and I am,
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