Series 08: John Septimus Roe letters, the return to England and a new career: preparing for the voyage of the Parmelia 29 November 1827 ??? 21 February 1829

Series 08: John Septimus Roe letters, the return to England and a new career: preparing for the voyage of the Parmelia 29 November 1827 ' 21 February 1829

John Septimus Roe letters, 1807-1829

A series of ten letters, mostly to his father, the bulk written at Plymouth and London, the last letter written on board the Parmelia while off Madeira.

ITEM 191: 29 November 1827. To Father, no. 5 Devonshire Place, Plymouth. The Tamar has finally arrived at Plymouth. As the address shows, Roe has found brother Charles “and his bride”, and they have been talking for three hours. Received last news from the Rectory dated November 1826. Knows that father and mother have been forced to visit Isle of Wight for their health. Hopes to be at Newbury by Christmas. His stay in India has taught him the value of good health. Bremer hopes to have the Tamar paid off at Plymouth as the town in which his wife and children live, but Roe hopes otherwise, so as not to have the expense of removing all his things at such a distance. They were to have brought with them Sir Thomas Munroe, Governor of Madras, but even as they were preparing his cabin he was carried off by cholera. Sailed 13 July. Called at Cape of Good Hope for a fortnight. Touched at St Helena and Ascension. Heard of the death of Mrs Taylor of Greenwich Hospital.

ITEM 192: 19 December 1827. To Father, on board Tamar at Plymouth. Poor weather and a lack of decisiveness have kept them in a state of uncertainty and “uncomfortable lingering.” The shipwrights from the naval dockyard have not completed their examination of the ship. Has caught a bad cold, and is no longer in possession of “a single one of my seven senses.” Ship is wet and damp and uncomfortable, and he gets ashore to see brother Charles as often as possible. Discusses the return of his trunks, including the chest with all of his valuable items: “if it is lost I am scuppered.” “The five small birds and Lady Keats’ parrot must be my companions on the journey, if possible.” The parrot has become a great favourite at Charles’ house, where it has become friendly with a parrot belonging to Ann. “I am quite delighted to hear that dear Cockatoo is so great a favourite, and have now no doubt he will be a permanent inhabitant of the Rectory, although it is very strange Mrs Macquarie has never written about him.” Expecting Lord High Admiral tomorrow to present Marines with their new colours, and then an illumination to follow, and a dinner. Family news. Hopes that William has news of his chest of curiosities. Has brought very little with him on board, except a very fine Burmese bell. The Genoa has arrived, much cut up and with the body of Captain Bathurst on board. “I have called on the 2 remaining Miss Macarthurs, and found them in very deep affliction for the loss of their brother Charles, the Lieutenant R.N., and eldest sister.” Very surprised that he has no news from New South Wales. Very friendly welcome from Lambert. “Have you seen a publication by my old friend and companion Cunningham, who was Botanist with us in New South Wales, and I see has now published a work on that country which the reviews speak very highly of.” Would like to know the titles of the two charts purchased by William at the Admiralty. The whole ship except the timbers has been found “quite rotten.” The Shipwrights seem quite frightened by the hosts of bugs and spiders with which they have been living for three years.

ITEM 193: 30 December 1827. To Father, Devonshire Place Plymouth. After some delays due to weather and Admiralty, has “at last got quit of the Tamar, which was finally paid off on Friday last, the day before yesterday.” Roe has been too unwell to contemplate the lengthy travel to Newbury: his illness from the very wet and “unwholesome” conditions on board, which “brought on one of my old attacks on the lungs.” Has been nursed by sister-in-law Ann. Hopes to be on the Exeter Coach on the morrow. Hopes that a China chest and a trunk of books he sent a week earlier have arrived. Discusses the presenting of the new colours to the Marines, with the aside that he hopes “His Royal Highness and the Government do something more substantial for that much neglected Corps, instead of gulling them with new Colors – new uniforms &c. which only take from the pockets they have so poorly lined.” His last trunk almost too heavy to carry.

ITEM 194: 25 January 1828. To Father, Hotel, 164 Fleet Street [London]. Has met with the Duke of Clarence the day before. Has not been promoted Captain. His Royal Highness the Duke has asked Roe to “call again” when his health has improved. Sir Richard Keats had helped set up the meeting. Roe, “on my introduction into his presence” was asked several rapid questions. Replied that his health had been greatly damaged by his time in the East Indies and may take two or three months to recover completely. Roe mentions Keats, to which HRH exclaims “Oh! I recollect, you are the Draughtsman.” Roe hands over his memorial on his services for the last 15 years. Memorial so long (two-and-a-half foolscap pages) that HRH “unceremoniously” began reading halfway through. The Duke asks about the wound on Roe’s forehead, and on being told of his fall from the masthead, the Duke wonders that he had not been killed. The meeting lasts four minutes, and Roe is glad it was as long, being told that many meetings last no longer than 30 seconds. 25 officers are the limit at these Thursday levees. Sir Richard Keats thinks that Roe’s chances are good of promotion. Keats has also spoken to Parry, “who is in every way disposed to do anything for me.” Hopes to return to Newbury to look after his health. Has many small tasks to do in town. Was “badly lamed” in an inn three days earlier, when a door was opened suddenly on him, and the key struck him in the hip, causing him to “go limping like a dog with 3 legs.” Has brought “Polly” with him, but he talks and whistles much less than he did at the Rectory. “Polly sends his kind love to all his old shipmates, and to poor Cocky.”

ITEM 195: 1 April 1828. To Father, 31 Oxendon Street, Haymarket. Has taken two rooms on the second floor of a house run by a widow Mrs Frazer for 10/ a week. Is glad to be close to the Admiralty. Has organised a steel seal for brother Tom. Discusses his finances and bills.

ITEM 196: 19 April 1828. To Father, 31 Oxendon Street, Haymarket. Health is improving: “when my wound closes, I shall then begin to look for substantial improvement in health.” Sends sister Sophy some jewellery he has had mounted. Also sends clasps for his own boat cloak and cape, which he hopes his mother will give to White the Tailor to attach. Has seen brother Tom and family, returned from India, and misses the “pretty Hindostanee prattle of little Eleanor.” Discusses finances. “At the Admiralty I am getting on apace, and have now got a fair start, after collecting all the materials upon which I have to depend, and making an index of references.” “I think one of my former letters intimated that New Holland, or Australia, was the part of the world on which I was first to be employed – after which the East Indies is in contemplation – but I do not imagine the latter will be attacked by me, as I shall have had quite enough of it in preparing Australia, and shall hope for some reward in the way of Promotion… Captn. Parry is very considerate and attentive” and has told Roe to notify him if the Admiralty lacks any necessary books. Greatly fears that the Finance Committee will reduce everyone’s salary, or perhaps tax them. The Duke of Clarence remains in the country, and is too unwell to hold his Thursday levees.

ITEM 197: 22 April 1828. To Father, Admiralty. Discusses finances and a large bill from Mrs Ritson. Delighted that brother Tom and family have arrived at Newbury. Dines tonight with Lambert in Grosvenor Square. Dined the night before with Barnes, but poor weather meant that four of the ladies did not attend, and the evening very dull. Has been to church in the neighbourhood, and heard a good sermon on charity by Mr. Hill, and heard the organ played by Professor Adams. London cold wet and muddy. Hopes to see Joe Graham at Fulham tomorrow, St George’s Day and a holiday. Has been sent a brokering bill from John Barnes.

ITEM 198: 12 May 1828. To Father, Oxendon Street, Haymarket. Was yesterday in Greenwich where he dined with Mr. Taylor. Has had made, and is forwarding, a long list of hinges, bolts, screws and the like (which appear to be for the Museum of Roe and William). Dined with the Nichols family in Seething Lane, and was very taken with daughters, except “poor little Anne” who has stopped growing and will “never start another atom except in rotundity.” Has also called on Sir Richard Keats. “Polly bit my finger for old acquaintance sake.” Finds the city very dirty. Has heard the Bishop of Bristol give a charity sermon at Hanover Chapel in Regent Street, “and was indifferently well pleased.” Has been running around town, including making enquiries about boxes for William. Has dined with Lambert, where he met Mr. Bennett the MP. Mrs. Lambert is still living, “but deprived of her reason.” Appears to have been elected a Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, having just received a circular regarding the purchase of the library of the late Linnaeus and his son. Has dined at the Society, and hopes to get some time in Newbury with his friend Mr. Hope to “overhaul our collection.” Work going well, and they are “beginning to put things in the hands of the Printer” (perhaps a reference to the publishing of The Australia Directory?). Wound still not closed. Returns his father’s seal, but is not sure “that I shall not have to pay for the seal already engraved.” His eyes and his chest still unimproved. Has not seen a single play or exhibition since coming to town. Supposes that Charlotte B – has told them about the performance they saw at the London Tavern in Bishopsgate, where the performers turned their backs on the cockney audience.

ITEM 198a: [1829?]. Letter fragment to sister Sophy, apparently written from Newbury, and seemingly dating from the period in which he is trying to arrange further employment. Tone strongly suggests this is prior to the appointment on the Parmelia, but might also date from before the sailing of the Tamar. Mostly family news. Roe has to go up to town “to make personal inquiries at the Admiralty as to consult with Sir Richard Keats.”

ITEM 199: [January 1829]. To Father, Long Acre [London?]. Short note. “I have just stept into a shop for the purpose of scrawling a line to say that having arranged all matters on board the Parmelia and nearly all in town, my dearest Matilda and I will endeavour to start by Newbury Coach tomorrow on our way to Portsmouth, whither the ship will start from Deptford tomorrow morning by steamer, and probably remain a day or two. Matilda will have acquainted you how very closely my time has been occupied, or you should have had a repetition of my long yarns but I have really been quite incapable of sending such.”

ITEM 200: 21 February 1829. To Father, on Parmelia off Madeira. “You will all be glad to hear that we have proceeded very well thus far on our voyage to Australia. Have had very good sailing, but last night parted with the Sulphur, so are now making for the appointed rendezvous at Tenerife. Does not expect to be very long at anchor in Tenerife. “I do not imagine dear Matilda will be induced to tread on Terra Firma – The dear girl has suffered from sea-sickness much more than either of us had anticipated, which I attribute to the state of agitation and uncertainty in which we had been moving about for several weeks previous to our embarkation, and which may be supposed to have somewhat deranged the system.” Roe has not had any sea-sickness at all. Climate currently “delightful”. Thinks that a trip to Madeira would quite restore William’s health. “We have now had time to look about us a little, and to form some kind of judgment as to those with whom we are doomed to pass so many of our days, and I feel happy in being enabled to add that, by making every due allowance for each others little failings and faults, there appears every prospect before us of our little society being very comfortable and pleasant. Mrs Stirling appears a very amiable young woman, of quiet, pleasing manners, though by no means impressed with the idea that the pleasures which await her at Swan River will be found to compensate for the privation of the Society of relatives and friends in England.” Mrs Stirling is being dutiful, however. Others on board the Parmelia seem to share her opinion, but Roe feels that the fine weather and good prospects are making people feel more optimistic: particularly considering “the reflection that we are proceeding to found a new colony which will be the basis of some future mighty empire.” Matilda behaves “most nobly”. Details the letters he sent prior to leaving Plymouth, including one in which he attempted “to impress upon the mind of Charles the advantages which would accrue to him from following my steps to the new settlement at Swan River.” Their mess on board is tolerable, although the Portsmouth agent has sent on such old livestock that Roe fears that the people of the town will not have “an aged duck, fowl or goose for the next 3 or 4 years to come.” They were rejoined by the Sulphur, so had no need to call at Tenerife. “A ship is now crossing our track, homeward bound, and a boat will convey letters in a few minutes, which obliges me to close. We have been very fortunate in our passage hitherto, and expect to cross the line in about an hour. Neptune is already commencing his recognition of those who have not before crossed this part of his Territory, but the ladies and all passengers are exempt from his attentions by paying the customary fines. We are all well on board, though novices in this region are suffering a little from heat.” “My beloved Tit is not without her share of inconvenience, but bears it most nobly.”

Series 08: John Septimus Roe letters, the return to England and a new career: preparing for the voyage of the Parmelia 29 November 1827 – 21 February 1829

Series 08: John Septimus Roe letters, the return to England and a new career: preparing for the voya...

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