Box-folder 3827/4

Account current for the half year ending 30 June. [Letter headed Duplicate Original in Bombay. Endorsed on verso with details headed "George Mercer Esq. in a/c with The Derwent Bank". Extra details have been added at the end, more than added to the verso of the other identical letter dated 20.7.1842].

As above. [Also includes a separate sheet headed "Account of stock at Gorthy as counted by Mr. Learmonth". The account is dated 22.12.1841. Endorsed on verso sheet is "Gorthy stock and [Classified?] Dec/41 andamp; May 1842"].

Account current for the half year. Verso shows detailed accounts 1.7.1842 to 16.1.1843.

Derwent Company Establishment broken up. Property, land and stock divided amongst the five shareholders. Encloses accounts. Mr Learmonth the largest debtor.

[Duplicate original per Calcutta. Exact copy of previous letter dated 27.1.1843. Occasional variations in punctuation and abbreviations].

Lack of attention to a dairy on Gorthy property. Suggests Mercer send out an engine to establish a good mill. Depreciation in the price of stock. Accounts of last wool sales not promising. Scott Bell andamp; Co. Port Phillip Accounts. Failure of Port Phillip Bank. Banking concerns of P.P.A. answer well.

Has bought 100 acres of land for Mercer at back of Gorthy, to prevent little menfrom getting in and allowing the establishment of a nest of sheepstealers. Difficult to raise money as Colony nearly bordering upon general insolvency. Price of sheep and wheat. Port Phillip Bank. Next to a General Bankruptcy in Sydney. Derwent Company. Cannot get even a line from Mercer's son.

Encloses plan of Gorthy [not included]. Mercer's son Henry has arrived. No response from son George despite Swanston urging him to exert himself and get in the debts due to the Derwent Co. Pecuniary distress throughout colonies. Swanston does not anticipate serious losses - Reserve fund will be sufficient. Absentee funds invested on Mortgage. Boiling down sheep.

Mercer's son George. Depressed State of Colonies. Banks closing. Son Henry now in charge of Gorthy. [Included difficult to read passages which may form basis of a draft reply or comment].

Invoice and bill of lading for Mercer's wool shipped on board the Derwent. [Includes notes on postal marks].