Original Transcription:
…us all in our ordinary Stait of halth and Blissied be the Lord for it.  I am hapay to enform you that we had a nother Latter from May on the 21 Curnt and She was will and liken her plice in the Visel the Shiep Salled on Thursday 22 for a Stralia ther is about 600 in the John Diveees the Captens Nim is Hughes if all is will thay are in the Bay of Biscea thes Day o may the Lord go with them and protick and comfort all.  Mr Jonston Rittes to hes Sisters and us he touk abot and wint down the River befor thay Saled and Saw Mary and Battsay they wire
 

Corrected Transcription:
…us all in our ordinary state of health, and blessed be the Lord for it.  I am happy to inform you that we had another letter from Mary on the 21 current, and she was well and liking her place on the vessel.  The ship sailed on Thursday 22 [July] for Australia.  There is about 600 in the John Davies.  The Captain's name is Hughes.  If all is well, they are in the Bay of Biscay this day.  O, may the Lord go with them and protect and comfort all.  Mr. Johnston writes to his sisters and us.  He took about [turned around] and went down the river before they sailed, and saw Mary and Betsey.  They were…

Historical Note:
James and Agnes Archibald are living in Edinburgh, Scotland with their daughter Christian and her husband Andrew Smaill, who owns a grocer and mercantile store.  This letter was probably sent to their daughter, Agnes Kerr, and perhaps also to their daughter, Jessie Murray and their families.  "Mary" is one of James' youngest daughters.  She is emigrating to Australia on the ship John Davies, under Capt. Hughes.  A diary was kept on this ship and can be found at this webpage:  http://www.alphalink.com.au/~minky/hlc/hm/hm02.html
The "Bay of Biscay" that was mentioned is the body of water inset between the coast of France and that of northern Spain.  We are not sure who "Mr. Johnston" is. 

If anyone has any additions or corrections to these historical notes, please email me:  lana_a2000@yahoo.com
 

Original Transcription:
…nsray me Lord derrick all our Hart to Seek grice for without grice all the world ould be Vinety but Life in God's fiver is Life Ever Laston therfor I desir the Love of God befor all things
 I will bed you all faerwill  We Reman your Loving Father and Mother James and Agnes Archibald

Corrected Transcription:
...nsray [?] me.  Lord direct all our hearts to seek grace, for without grace all the world would be vanity. But life in God's favor is Life Everlasting.  Therefore, I desire the love of God before all things.  
 I will bid you all farewell.  We remain your loving Father and Mother, James and Agnes Archibald