[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his daughter, Mary]
Addressed to Miss Waters, Mrs Capt.Waters,R.M., King Street, Woolwich Prepaid
H.M.S.Revenge Sheerness 22 Feb.1842
My dear Child Mary
We are to be paid off next friday, and if we go by steam, you may expect to see me the same day, otherwise not until monday, and I do not know but that I may return to Sheerness a few days after, but I wish nothing to be said about it at present. You must know that when I embarked I was particularly anxious to be away 2 years at least, but if possible 3 years, in order that I might not have to go abroad again as Capt., however we were ordered home to be paid off at Portsmouth, when I had only made 15 months, but when we arrived at Spithead, orders were waiting us, to be paid off at Sheerness, the fact appears to have been that the Hastings should have been paid at Sheerness, but she was detained so long by contrary winds at Spit-head that she was paid off at Portsmouth, and we were sent to Sheerness instead, on our way round it occurred to me that as Major Coryton was 2nd from promotion and myself the 19th, it would answer our purpose to exchange, but I thought to myself, I will not ask him, but leave it to Providence, you must know Major Coryton,(who went a recruiting for me before I went to Birmingham,) is in the Camperdown, 98 guns flagship, stationed at Sheerness, I went ashore last friday at his lodgings to pay my respects, I found him with his family, I said to him “I was sorry I had made but one tour”, the next day he returned my call, and had left the “Revenge” on his way to the shore, when he suddenly returned and said to me “by the by I think you have but one tour,” I said “true” “well” he said, “if you like I will exchange with you” I told him “I should like it very much” then, he said “we will have a talk about it next week” which I agreed to, I called at his lodgings yesterday and found he was gone to town, probably to arrange the matter for an exchange, now you must know my dear good child, that great interest is sometimes made by Capt.s of Marines to get appointed to a guardship, and sometimes a tollerable deal of money is given by one Capt. to another for an exchange into a guardship, rather than he would go abroad where there is less comfort and more expense, and further from ones family, and you must further know, that if the exchange takes place I shall be near at hand without any probability of being sent abroad while I am a Capt., my expenses have been very great since I have been embarked, but in the flag ship, I am told, they will be moderate, and I hope I shall be able to assist John a trifle in pecuniary matters, and now my dear child in answer to your nice and very dutiful letter, I wish your Mamma would hire the nurse a few weeks, until the young folks are recovered, and I will endeavour to pay the expense, I would much rather so than you should be all suffering so much from fatigue, for constant night watching is very distressing, it is really too much for you to attend upon three coughing children at night- It is most gratifying to me, and a Providence, I think, that you have had good health so long, I pray God, my dear child, you may keep so, and I quite approve what you recommend, a House, in the country, of about 10£ a year for Mamma, I wish she could get one for I will pay the expense. I saw the Formidable at anchor near Margate, and we anchored some distance from her, Mr.Meheux will be very comfortable in her, I am sure, for the Capt. of the Ship is an excellent man and so is the Capt. Of Marines. I am glad you have told me about the sickness for it will less distress me on my return, knowing it before hand. My dear little Nancy will be very soon friends with me I am sure-
I am delighted with Elizabeth’s nice written note, I must thank the dear child for it, on my return, I am quite sirprised at her good writing, I am glad she likes Miss Borley. And now my dear daughter I think you will admit, I have written you a familiar letter- With Affectionate wishes for Mamma, you, and the rest of my dear good children-
I remain your delighted father at having such good children
Thos. Waters