From Archibald McLachlan   31st Jan

31^st Jan:

D^r T.¹

I suppose you are in the Country – else I should have had a letter from you before this – I will send you a long letter tomorrow² with a tracing in it – I got a letter the other day from a Scotch C.E.³ (a Scotchman) an old acquaintance he makes me an offer – or if I don’t except it myself he asks can I recommend him a man – To Survey Estates in a Beautiful part of Scotland – the Job to last at least 6 months – he must be a good L. Surveyor⁴ & Draftsman – he will give 20 to 25 shillings a week!!! – that is the Total amount he will give – I won’t except it myself & I can’t recollect anybody who would accept it – Nobody would close with his offer except one who is quite idle – out of work – Do you know of any Tolerable good Field & House man,⁵ who would be glad of the Job? – If you know of one, send me his name & address – Of course one would not like to recommend a very inferior man, but I suppose a tolerably good man may serve his turn – whoever goes may expect to be well worked – he will take the worth of his 20 Shillings out of him – As for myself, I do not intend to accept it – Nobody could save any money, on it – and none should take up the job, except one who is Shack-floored⁶ – – Can you think of any person – and let me know soon – I have got the other parts of the Tides⁷ –

Yours sinly | AM^cL

M^r Focus! | M^r Focus⁸

RI MS JT/1/TYP/11/3825

RI MS JT/8/1/4a