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12 Sep 55 Peter on board 'Alipore' Mother ______________________________________________________________________________________________

On Board the Alipore

Kamiesh 12 October 1855

My dear Mother

We have just received orders to go over to Baltschuk* to take in wood and cattle and as the latter is a two or three months job I must now look out for the winter for now if we were to come home directly afterwards, we could not be home before five months from the present time.

I therefore write to ask you to send out as soon as possible a package with the following articles of clothing – To Maltby I have written as he knows my measure and will make good and substantial things which is the chief thing; to make me a warm suit of clothes and in addition to these will you send me out flannels for the winter – say 4 clo'd Jerseys & 4 pr. clo'd Drawers – the former with long sleeves; the latter down to my ankles. A fur coat would be a great thing.

Then at Burchetts* – Cheapside, to my measure order 1 pr sea boots – that is boots up to my knees to be made waterproof. I think that sort of patent leather that I used to wear at home is the best thing to have them made of. They go over the trousers and are this shape:

Send comforters and pr warm gloves – also blankets of which I am in want and my great coat – also an old umbrella and pr coloshes – pr. of shoes and a stick loaded with lead is wonderfully useful to those who have not the privilege of wearing a sword, also cap of some sort – fur cap – fur gloves – some books &c.

You have all news in other letter. Send the pkg. addressed to John and write to me at Balaclava so that when I arrive I shall get the letter from the post office and know by what ship it will come.

We shall perhaps be there in 4 or 5 weeks and the pkg. could easily be there in 6 if my Father manages as well as usual – by steamer of course.

Yr affect son

Peter Laurie

Baltschuk is close to Varna

P.S. No more outfitters’ things please – the last fell to pieces and I am reduced to wearing my dress trousers and waistcoat

Kamiesh 12 October 1855

Mr Peter Laurie’s compts. to Mr Maltby and will he make him as quickly as possible a suit of very warm clothes – the trousers and waistcoat to be of very dark material and the coat a P. Coat down the middle double breasted with front pockets, trousers also with front pockets – to be sent out to the Crimea at once. The material Mr M can select as he thinks most fit.

* Baltschuk – now Balchik, Bulgaria, a seaside resort about 30km North East of Varna