To His Excellency Governor Waters, Commander of the forces
etc. etc. etc. Ireland.
With a piece of Beef and Potatoes, for the Governor’s household.
My dear Governor,
I could not suffer the opportunity to escape which is offered by our friend John to express the very sincere pleasure I felt on our return to hear your Excellency has enjoyed health & tranquility during our long absence. I was also gratified to hear the wisdom of your Excellency’s government extolled (both civil & military) by high and low, rich & poor. In short, it’s said justice was never administered in greater mercy. We much wish to see you amongst us. Do, if you can, come down, though only to dine and return the same evening which may easily be accomplished.
If you have leisure give me a few lines to say how you have passed your time, the books you have read, and the progress you have made in swimming. You must have been infinitely more comfortable than you would have been with us in our dull unsuccessful cruise.
It’s said you have excellent Hair cutters on your Island–pray are they public Servants or confined to particular use?
Have you any intention of remaining in your government or going with us to Halifax? If there is anything I can send you from this place or in any manner be useful, command me, for
I am my dear Governor,
very sincerely
Your friend
John Gullett
[Note: This letter is one of several written to Thomas Waters Sr. by his former messmates while he was serving as Commandant of Forces on Ireland Island, Bermuda. Any references to “Ireland” really mean Ireland Island.]