"The crops of wheat are very good in this country. Forty bushels per acre are commonly grown; it is a very fertile place, and fruitful in every respect. I will write more fully of the country another time. Population increases rapidly. Some things, which we cannot obtain, are very dear: tea is 25_s._ per pound; sugar, 2_s._; salt beef, 1_s._; and mutton, 2_s._ per pound. A pair of shoes, 15_s._; 10_s._ a pair of stockings; 5_s._ for a yard of common print; calico, 3_s._ per yard; soap, 3_s._ per pound; onions, 6_d._ per pound; potatoes, 2_d._ per pound; a cabbage, 6_d._; rum, 5_s._ per bottle; a quart of porter, 2_s._ Fish is as cheap as anything we can buy; but we have no money here to trade with. "Pray, my dear sir, remember me to Mrs. Ripshaw, and tell her that one of Mr. Ripshaw's daughters, who lives up in the country here, paid a visit to the Orphan Asylum last week. She asked me, when she heard my voice, if I was not a Suffolk woman. This led to my knowledge of her being the daughter of Mr. Ripshaw's first wife. Pray, write to me as soon as you can. I shall never forget your goodness to me, from the day I rode the pony to your door till the day I left Ipswich. I shall never forget your dear daughter, so clever, so kind to every one. Remember me to your faithful servant, who was such a friend to me, and give my duty to all inquiring friends. We had not a single death in our ship, though we had near two hundred females on board. "Just as I am writing this a messenger has come flying into the town to say that the Blacks have killed eight men, women, and children. One man's arms they have cut, and broke his bones, and have done the same by his legs up to his knees. The poor fellow is just now carried past to the hospital, but he looked more dead than alive, and death would be a blessing to him. The governor has sent out troops after them, with orders to shoot all they can find. I hope I may be able to give you a better account of the natives when I write again. Pray send me word if you know where Dinah Parker and her child were sent to. Give my love to my uncle and aunt Leader. My brother Edward should not have deserted me; I always loved him affectionately. God bless you, dear doctor, and direct your letter to me at Mr. John Palmer's, Female Orphan Asylum, Sydney; and ever think of me as your faithful and humble servant, "MARGARET CATCHPOLE. "To JOHN COBBOLD, ESQ., Cliff, Ipswich. "Favoured by CAPTAIN SUMPTER."