From John Smith to Thomas Waters Sr. (July 22, 1830)

[John Smith to Thomas Waters. R.M.]

Addressed to Lieut. Waters Royal Marines, Mulgrave Place, Woolwich

Crediton 22 July 1830

Sir,

The principal money (£500) with the Interest due thereon having been paid by Mr Reynolds who mortgaged his Estate to you, to Mr Sillifant on your behalf, I send you the deed of Transfer at Mr Sillifant’s request for your signature.

You will be pleased to put your name at the first Seal, where I have already placed it in pencil and when you have done that to put your finger upon the Seal and say, “I deliver this as my act and deed”

You will then please to sign the receipt on the back for the £500 where I have also put your name in pencil – and to take care that you have a Witness (not Mrs Waters) who will put his name under the word Witness in the left Corner of the receipt and also under the attestation exactly in the same Way as the name “William Henry Smith”, is put under the other two attestations.

As I happen to know Captain W.H.Bent of the artillery, if without trouble to yourself or him, you can get him for a Witness, it would he satisfactory to me. If you have another Witness I will thank you to desire him to add to his name his addition – Such as for instance – “Captain in the Royal Artillery”

I have proposed to Mr Sillifant a freehold Security for £500, should it be your wish again to advance the money; but the times will give but £4 per Cent – There would be however a Clause under which you might call for £5 per Cent unless there was punctual payment. Mr Sillifant will write you upon the Subject.

I fear I have been troublesome in my explanations to you. Be pleased to return the deed without delay.

I am Sir

Your very ob Serv^t

John Smith

[Thomas Waters’ reply is pencilled in rough at the bottom of the letter] I have signed the deed agreeable I believe to your intention which I now return you. with respect to the money I requested Mr S in my last letter to dispose of it in that way in which he might think it most for my interest. of course I can have no objections to that you have proposed. be pleased to make my respect/s to Mr S and family I have not yet received my promotion but I suppose I shall receive it in the course of this week probably tomorrow. I believe I shall he [be] reappointed to the division my Commandant has seen my appointment in town His Majesty is expected down tomorrow at 11 0 C to review the Artillery I am Sir Your Most Obt Ser

TW

26 July

Carriage etc 5/4