Marianne who was to come out to Chile with
Mrs Gray the following year, when we were
to be married.
April 1853 I left for Chile. Crossing
the Isthmus of Panama got Panama
fever badly which nearly carried me off.
About September took charge of the
Caldera Smelting Works + soon the Chimneys
were smoking smelting Copper ores + the
Silver department treating relaves [sic].
On 29 April 1854 I got married.
We had hardly been a year in full play
when it was found that the Silver portion
of the business - under the Special Charge
of Mr Field - was a failure, entailing a heavy
loss. Misunderstandings had also arisen
between the Directors + our Chief Manager
at Coquimbo Mr Alison, ending by the
whole staff being dismissed + replaced by
a new set of Managers sent out from England.
My contract was cancelled with six
months notice.
While working out my time I had an offer
to join the firm of Wheelwright + Co Caldera,
+ another from the Copiapo Mining Company
to take charge of their business - This latter
offer I accepted.
(Continued on Page 6)
