From John Sillifant to his ward Thomas Waters Sr. (August 24, 1810)

John Sillifant to Thomas Waters R.M.

Addressed to Lieut.^t Waters, Royal Marines, on board H.M.S. Ship Swiftsure or at Ireland Island, Bermuda’s, America

Coombe, 24 August 1810 

[Note: Coombe is in the parish of Colebrooke, Devon ST]

My dear Sir,

Your letter of the 29 May afforded us much pleasure particularly as it gave us an account of your present happy situation & appointments. Those kind attentions you receive from Sir B. Warren I have no doubt are in consequence of your propriety of conduct & attention to duty & which is very gratifying to us. I wrote you a letter more than twelve months since which I conclude you never received as you do not mention it. I have herewith sent a parcel of Newspapers which I think may afford you some amusement & Mrs Sillifant has also sent some Flower Seeds etc. for your Garden. I suppose you know that Miss Totness is comfortably settled with my Sister in Crediton, but she is now on a visit to her friend at Stowpenny in Somersetshire. I saw Mr & Mrs Brown last week they desired to be kindly remembered to you. Hosgood (who has such talent for drawing & copying) is dead in London in consequence of great application according to Steels List. You will soon have a company. I observe there are near 120 first Lieutenants below you. I think you must be delighted with your present independant situation I wish you would give us a particular account of your Island its produce & the customs & manners of its inhabitants & your own employments & amusements and what friends you have on the Island. Let me know if you are to continue there & if we can send you any thing that will add to your comfort & the safest & best conveyance of a parcel. I have directed this by way of Halifax not knowing if there is any direct communication north the Bermuda’s. There is at present no prospect of peace. I am just informed that a cartel for exchange of prisoners is at last agreed to by Buonaparte – the price of corn is very high in this Country; Wheat17s to 18s pr Bushell, Barley 8s or 8s6d & Butchers Meat in proportion. We are now busily employed in getting through our harvest. Do write as soon as you get this that I may know it arrived safe & let me know if I can send you anything. Mr Prideaux is very well, do remember him in your next letter. Mrs Sillifant & my Sister join with me in kind regards & believe me always 

Your friend

John Sillifant