From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (April 3, 1840)

[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]

Addressed to Mrs Capt,Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich, Kent

Birmingham 3rd April 1840

My dear Wife,

Your Letter of yesterday came to hand this morning. Let John have 10/., and place it to my Account, for him to purchase his book on Mechanics- You say that Bissett is efficient as a writer, but that he was a quiet and well disposed young lad, therefore, I suppose he was directed to be withdrawn for being inefficient as a writer. Flour, I think is about the same price as last, but, I think, the sooner you order it the better, for it seems inclined rather to rise, and unless there is a probability of a fall, which there is not this time of year, I would not leave it to order until I had but one backing.  I think Mr. Grieff wrong in not going on with the repair of the house, he must know what it wants better than the Landlord, even if the Landlord was on the spot, as for the stables they must remain as they are, they cannot be taken to repair the house with, and for to turn them into a dwelling house is out of the question, for what are we to do in the mean time with the useful articles in them, the latter part of your letter I do not quite understand, it is after disappointment, “and that not a little for if I could come for the same this will I should have risked an unwelcome reception. I cannot thank you for your answer to my letter but feel sorry it merited no better fate.” With respect to your Letter 27th Ult. it was to the purpose, there was nothing in it that I perceived about which you needed my advice, and nothing to find fault with, excepting that you wished me to outlive my family, that I might again be surrounded with plenty, which observation you may well suppose gave me pain, but I wished to avoid giving you pain, and said nothing, and should not now, but that in my last note I said to little, if I may judge from your observation. Tho^s. Chest and things came home, I could not say whether they were cheap or dear, good or bad, nor do I know the amount of Hallets’ bill, or whether the groceries came from him, of course I could say nothing on the subject. I do not think sugar a useful article for Tho^s. to take with him if he can do without it, if he takes it, put it in a close canister, for in a hot climate the ants and other insects play the duce with, if he can get some cakes of Man-of-War chocolate to take with him I would advise him by all means, it will not take up much room, and it may be useful in need, a bit of it in his mouth, to suck, will relieve hunger, sugar causes thirst, but he is quite welcome to take both, if he thinks proper, of course, you intend to let Thomas have a few Pounds, or his Captain for him, taking his receipt the Captains, much money is dangerous to Thomas in his own chest, he does not know how liable he is to be plundered, recollect Josh.’s case, in that respect, but in placing the money in the Captain’s hands, and taking a part as he wants it, places him upon a more respectable footing with the Captain, he becomes more, identified, and under the protection of the captain, let Thomas place confidence in the Capt. if he expects the Capt. to place confidence in him. I suppose 4 sacks of potatoes pretty nearly as many as you will want, but I do not know, it is better to have a girl than a boy’s school near you, the overlooking you need not mind. You did right, of course, to order the water cask, as you wanted one. Hindle behaves very well, if he and his Wife do not agree it is their misfortune, the fault is, probably, with both. He, I think, is particularly fond of his family and wishes to be continually hearing from them, at least twice a month, he is industrious, and I think tolerably careful, or he could not send his wife so much if he was not. sleepless nights , no doubt, mothers have, and many anxieties, it is not to be supposed that fathers, are without their cares, who are anxious to do their utmost for their family and yet have it not in their power to do much- we have had but little snow here and the weather is getting mild. I hope you will have a clean and comfortable house again soon, you have all my love, and I will do any thing to make you happy.

I remain My Dear Wife yours most lovingly and Affectionately with
Love to children

   Tho^s. Waters