“…I received the 21 of February giving a account of the stormes that was along the western coast of great Britain…I have had a visit from my brother from Sheldon [Valley?]. He is thinking of going home this fall. I should like very much to go home to see my people but I have got myself much entangled that I do not think that I can get away at all. I am determent not to work for any more men that cannot pay me down every month…I should like very much to hear how you are getting along in this trublesome times. I hope that there will not be any war but I think it remains with England now, war or not war. I have not seen any news since the maine concern occurred, there was some very warm speeches given on the house of commons and likewise in the house of Lords, the yankees hear seem to like very much to have Kick up with England, the feel so very smart with ther way of it but rather I think the would succeed so well as the think, you can write me all the news that is going on in Canada and if you are still remaining in the same place that you was before do think that in case of a war that you would be trubled with being a solder. I am afreaid you would, I should be very sauraw to hear of your being compelled to fight in the field of battle, I do not exacly know that I would have to to however I do not think the war make alians fight, the would make us go back into the country away from the lines so as we could have no communication with army. [Either side?] of war was to come I suppose the Banks on this devalued all suspend specie payments, it would break down every kind trade so that the would be neather one thing nor another doing,,,there has been a great prospect of a good business down hear this summer but it don’t look so well since the maine affair commenced, perhaps it may die away again…I like to get a rise upon my wages. I have had 15 dolars a month all winter. I have had good deal of night work and some little things that I did not like but I am shure of money when it is wrought for and it is not evry place that you can get that in this country. Especealy about Buffalo….Think my last letter had been waylaid some way, if you did not get it and if you did and not returned an answer to me I should feel very much displeased at you but I cannot think you could act way to a frend and in a strange land far from our land of nativity,,,”

The Aroostook War was a confrontation between the United States and Great Britain over the international boundary between the British colony of New Brunswick and the state of Maine. Following other minor diplomatic crises between the two countries, in December 1838 there was a bloodless skirmish between American and British Canadian armed lumberjacks. Maine Militia units were called out in February 1839, but there was no actual combat, despite reports of British troops gathering at the border. When Haldane wrote this letter, outcries in Congress led to authorization of a force of 50,000 men to defend the border in the event British troops crossed into US territory. The flap was finally resolved by diplomacy, with a British-American treaty signed in 1841.

When he wrote this letter, Haldane, probably an immigrant from Scotland, seems to have been working for at a nursery and seed store near Buffalo. Whether or not he remained in New York is unknown. Peter Nesbit, also a Scotsman, apparently stayed in Canada for the rest of his life.  There is a record of his death in Ontario in 1896.