Letter written to Thomas Benbow Phillips at Rio Grande do Sul by Stuart Barnes at Buenos Ayres, dated 3 May 1873

Stuart Barnes told Thomas Benbow Phillips he was glad to hear that he had arrived home safely, appreciated the pleasing report about his journey to Chupat and the growth of the Colony, which he had reported in his letter. Stuart Barnes promised to forward the information enclosed to the friends of the Colony at home, who had, up until now, been receiving different reports about it. The ship “Rush” had been condemned and would be sold. Captain Evans would be travelling to New York on the “Effa”, but the ship on which they should be travelling somehow ended up in Bristol. A Mr Williams was also with the Captain. A certain Mr Roberts had not conducted himself well, and had been locked up several times for drunkeness. Stuart Barnes's business was doing well, and he had made a huge profit from real estate to the sum of three hundred and fifty seven thousand. He was expecting a vessel containing machinery for his oil works any day. His health was good and hoped that the letter would also find Thomas Benbow Phillips well and prosperous.