From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (April 7, 1840)

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

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

Birmingham 7 April 1840

My dear Wife,

Your Saturday’s letter came to hand the following morning, unsealed, that is, the seal was almost broken off. I cannot say whether it had been opened. I am glad you have received the money from Coombe, you will do with it what you think best. I think the glossiness of the paper prevents the seal from sticking to Mr. Sillifant’s letter. I still am of opinion that Mr. Grieff is dilatory, he was ordered, no doubt, to repair the house, he ought to have done so, if he met with unexpected difficulties he should have pointed them out to the Landlord, explained to him the best way of getting over them, with the least possible inconvenience to you, and have asked the landlord, if he, (Mr. Grieff,) was to proceed accordingly, as it is I throw the whole blame on Mr. Grieff, in altering the Sink he ought to have known before he began about it, how it would answer, the Landlord may well grumble when he is put to expence to no purpose, a man master of his business should not take a thing in hand for another person without his being sure of succeeding, there is no excuse for him, having known the premises so long and how the main is situated. In my last letter I recommended strongly for Thomas to lodge his money in his Capt^s. hands, for the crew soon find out who have money in their possession; and bad characters in searching for money will take other things that they otherwise would not have thought of looking for, he has no idea of the bad characters that are to be met with aboard ship, even John is imposed upon where he has been so long and, we may suppose, ought to know the characters by which he is surrounded, but that he will never be able to, effectually, at the same time while I recommend the above, of course, he will take a little in his own possession, avoiding, as much as possible letting any one see what he has, more than what he is just going to lay out, and I would advise him to inquire what kind of money would be most useful, for if he goes to a Spanish Colony, spanish dollars are equal to 5 english shillings, and will cost at Mr. Spurges, or in London 4sl2d or perhaps 1/2 or 1d more, and in a Portuguese Colony, a Portuguese dollar is worth 6/s and other coin in proportion, in that case 18/ or 20/ may be laid out in foreign coin to advantage, he can easily inquire how things are. Your letter of yesterday came to hand this morning. I am glad you took mine for a kind letter, I always give advice to the best of my abilities, when I give it, and when I am at a loss what to say, unless you particularly ask it, I avoid giving it, I am glad you take to go to market yourself, and when you do not go, I wish very much for Mary to go, she is not liable to be imposed upon much at those shops where you regularly deal, for of course you only continue dealing with those tradespeople whom you have found by experience to serve you well- 

With respect to you and me, let us always endeavour to see things in each other on the bright side, cloudy days will intervene do what we will to avoid them, but let us not seek them, let us pray to God to bless each other and our dear family and we need not be afraid but that God will prosper us at last. Do not refer the Landlord to me, you know my opinion, speak decidedly to him and to Mr.Grieff-  You will be always welcome to my arms, and I would give a great deal to see you, but that I cannot give it, without your suffering from my extravagance which I will at all times endeavour to avoid.  I am glad Jane is getting so nicely through with her teeth cutting, plain living is best for health, and that she is learning to talk, which, no fear, will come in good time. With respect to my advising Mary to go to Market when you do not go, she must not be down-hearted if she does not market, at first, to her satisfaction, she will improve in that in time, and I am not always satisfied, even now, with my own dealings, and with all my experience, I find myself now and then taken in, we must live, and still learn. You see I am writing a sociable unpremeditated letter, in answer to the one I have just received from you, before I go out, yesterday day I walked to Coleshill, a distance of ten miles from this place, and back between breakfast and dinner. 

You need not have sent Hallet’s bill, merely the total was sufficient, I think it was very considerate at Halletts 

My most affectionate regards to my dear and good children, I have no doubt it is their pride and delight to take care of their Mother. 

Yours very truly

  Thomas Waters