Letter undated but notes that a previous letter of received January 1856
Notes
1. Scan of original and a scan of an English translation (cursive). Original held by Eric Streitberg in WA (I think).
2. Thanks to Dossie Shearman who provided these copies.
3. There are four pages of the original German but only three pages of English translation.
4. The photocopy I have is low quality. I adjusted the contrast and brightness to improve legibility (maybe). If you want a copy send me an email.
5. Its not clear the relationship of the author to recipient. I'm assuming Dorothea Linda who is a sister to George Linda (mentioned in other letters).
6. It would seem that JGS had some difficult times but did find gold. A hardworking literate man still amused by comic poems.
7. George Linda is linked to "Fritz". Is this the Friedrich mentioned in one of the letters who stole his employers money.
8. JGS is linked to another Gold Rush immigrant from Niederstetten George Goller. JGS and George Goller married Harris sisters. The George Goller settled in South Gippsland.
9. Someone can check Trove Newspapers and see if they can find a mention of Theodore Bassoth.
10. What was enclosed in the letter for George Goller? Money, news?
11. Fritz's wife is not well thought of. A lucky escape that posterity knows nothing much about her (lol)
12. The final paragraph can be read in many ways. The romantics can assume that Lizetta Linda rejected JG's marriage proposal before he left but has now "In closing I have changed my mind"
13. The German version has text after Lizetta's name that is not translated into English.
14. I've typed the English translation below.
Page 1
My dear friend,
I received your very welcome letter with the gold piece on the first of January 1856, and I have carried at (out?) as many of yours instructions as possible as the letter from your parents will confirm.
I bought your father and mother (illegible) and they were delighted. I was very happy to do that for you.
I read in your letter that you have had many happy as well as worrying hours. We read the poem you sent and laughed until we cried. But what a lot of experiences you have had over there. The same day we got a letter from my sister and brother in law. They live five miles outside Sydney and are doing very well.
The address is enclosed so you can address your letter to them. My brother in law comes to Sydney once per week.
It is necessary to write the address very clearly so he can pick them up at the post office. He writes that he wrote to you twice and is in the process of writing again.
Probably you didn't go to the post office in Melbourne to pick up your letters.
Still nothing from our dear brother. It's a complete mystery to us why no letters have come.
I sent them your address but as no letters have come I gave up writing. I hope and wish you now have our letters. So with God's help you'll be able to write.
Mainly you and our George. Our George has been through a great deal particularly with Fritz and has had no luck there either. He also made many attempts and finally wound up in a gold mine. And at the diggings in September they got the first letter and have heard nothing since.
Page 2
Theodore Basoth, a man from Frankfort, who worked regularly in Melbourne, that is the address from our brother to which you should address your letters. Would you be so good as to go there at once with what is enclosed in this letter for our brother, but don't give the letter to anyone but him. Don't give the letter or the job to anyone else.
Go your self and see Herr Basoth and speak to him personally and leave your address there in case George is not in Melbourne and then when he comes he'll be able to find you. Spare no effort until you find him and you are together.
So enjoy yourself and stay together and behave like brothers to each other and tell him he's no good at letter writing. I appreciate your writing in every way.
I thought Fritz's wife was more reasonable than that, perhaps you could talk to him and try and persuade him.
But please don't tell them that I wrote and told you. When I think we told Fritz all about that when he was over here. She looks so righteous but she's really not. I don't need to tell you that George is trying to get together with her again.
You know what to do about the situation. Her greatest trouble should now be a thing of the past. He still wont listen. He wrote to me a few times and says George left again eight days ago. If only I could forget the whole thing I would.
I also wrote to your brother and told him your brother Johann and his wife intend to visit us here in May which will be great.
You'll have heard about our dear blessed sister Helena who died. We were very upset.
I must tell you not send any more
Page 3
gold and money in the post, if the people in the post office spot it, both your money and the letter will be gone.
This arrived only by the greatest good luck, as the letter wasn't very thick. Tell my brother also so he doesn't try and send any gold.
I close with the hope that you'll get my letters.
Much luck and blessings, Dorothea
I also greet you, your faithful girlfriend, Lizetta Linda
In closing I have changed my mind???
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