1861 Nov 25 Horatio Cooper S Letter to His Son IN Law Robert Caldwell Re the Nagoa Massacre Including Tom Wills Senior

Alma Road,
St Kilda.
25 Nov 1861.

My Dear Sir,

As you may conceive we have been quite startled with the dreadful tragedy at the Nagoa, and it must cast quite a gloom over matters in your quarters making things very difficult to arrange. It is vain to argue your settlement there now, or to adduce afresh the opinions I entertained about the northern natives. I firmly hope that such strong police force will be distributed for a time over the country as to deter the two races from murdering each other.

Lizzie and children are quite well. Miss Henderson? is stopping with her. From the tone of her letters she seems to keep up her spirits well considering the dreadful news. We are daily expecting to hear from New Zealand.

Matters continue much as when you left. Alma House is not yet let that I know, or Hay's Store. There is a call of ₤1 purchase on the Colonial Bank shares due 29th this month. I see Mrs Hay has 280 and I understand you have shares also. Send me instructions about this matter. I hope your stay will not be much prolonged. I fear Hay's creditors will not be very prompt in your absence.

You will hear that we have a change of Ministry. There is not much political stir at present to oppose their return but the opposition no doubt are preparing for contest on the re-assembly of Parliament and will not allow them to head on a very smooth path in their Ministerial progress - King the survivor of Bourke's party when crossed to the Gulph arrived here today - still feeble in health - but gradually regaining his strength.

We have delightful cool weather as yet - and hope for a mild summer season.

With all our united best wishes for your health, success and speedy return

Yours faithfully,

Horatio Cooper

P.S. I hope you did not forget that we talked of executing a valid document in case of unforeseen events -

Notes (Tatnell?):-

"tragedy at the Nagoa" refers to the Wills massacre at Culling-la-Ringo, Springsure on 17 Oct 1861. Horatio Cooper's neighbour was Thomas Wills, Horatio Wills' brother.

Lizzie is Horatio's first born, Elizabeth.

"news from New Zealand" probably refers to news re the birth of William Maberly Hassal (25-Oct-1861) the first born son of Horatio's second child, Emma. There is a note written on three lines after the address saying "E Cooper", "Mrs Hassal, "a son".

Presumably "Alma House, (now) 134 Alma Rd, St Kilda"

(Hay's house?).

The P.S. could refer to Caldwell's will or a Power of Attorney

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18685136