Letter from Robert Stephenson to his stepmother

Bogota August 7th 1825

My Dear Mother

I am just moving off to Mariquita and will be with Empson in 3 days - I have just received a letter from him, he is extremely busy in a short time he will be quite a miner he has his hands full and [as] well as me - I have three days ago returned from another long journey which has prevented me from writing so often as I otherwise would have done. I know the most of my friends think me very neglectful but I cannot help it, I am as much perplexed with my engagements as my dear father with whom I long to be to take one half of his burthen. The last journey I made has been upwards of 1100 miles and continued for two months all of which time I never spoke English (excepting once) I have a black servant who jogs on a mule with me all day long and day after day - you may easily conceive how often I think of an English fireside and all the joys that spring around it-
The numerous objects that attracts one's attention drives away malancholy [sic] which it would be impossible to keep from without such a variety as the country presents both in beautiful scenery & minerals- Ed. Storey will think me very ungrateful for not writing to him, but will do so next post. I hope you received my letter containing the description of our house at Mariquita. I have one more journey to perform and then I have prospects of advancing near home but hope to be better able in a month or two to inform you more particularly on this subject- I have no time at present to write more: the mules are saddled and ready and I must go - Good health attends me.
& Believe me dear Mother your Affectionate Son
Robert Stephenson