WCP1255

[1]

8 Arundel Street

Monday March 26^th 1838

My dear Madam,¹

I return your letter containing the Legacy Account & acknowledge the correctness of the amounts but I am prohibited from pledging myself in writing to make any payments ^{for debts} as the whole which we possess is the property of others expressly advanced on this urgent occasion for the benefit and support of my large family and not for any purposes of mine individually[.] My sentiments are unaltered [2] however as to what I ought to do & will do when capable and permitted — I have been blamed for making the arrangement with M^r Wallace, as I have no present right to deal with the trifle I possess particularly should my death occur soon after arriving in the Colony —

The vessel is expected to sail on Thursday but dear Martha²will write tomorrow (Tuesday), which she will do on the other side[.] God bless you my dear M^rs Wallace should we not meet again. — Give my [3] kindest regards to Mr Wallace³ and Fanny,⁴ and tell the latter that nothing shall be wanting on my part to do what can be done — Our situation is indeed peculiar — We go but it is almost entirely without ready Money and are literally obliged to borrow to pay the remainder of the passage & freight — Most of our goods must go by another ship, as we cannot pay for them if[?] something must be <co>llected [MS damaged] to do it. This however is in confidence — The adversity is now[?] [MS damaged]

I remain | My dear Madam | Yours affec[tionate]ly | Tho[ma]^s Wilson⁵ [signature]

My dear Mary⁶

We are so suddenly & unexpect<edly> suddenly called upon to our Vessel that I <hardly> [MS damaged] know what I say, but we have consulted & think the best way is to send Algernon⁷ to Hoddesdon this afternoon that you may be sure of having this & to beg you to[?] let the children come up with him by Coach tomorrow morning (Tuesday[?]). I am distressed to think you should say that I did not wish to [4] see you again, since I told you the reason I told you, & cannot see but that the best way is not to torture our feelings by a regular leave taking. All our friends think so, I can see no good to bring on a scene productive of nothing but misery to us at the last<.> <R>emember dear Mary that we have to bear the taking leave of every one but you of only Us. When M^r. Wallace was in Town I waited 2 hours & a half in Cornhill for Tom to take me to M^r. Townshend's[?] to see M^r. Wallace, but we missed &[?] it was not my fault. God bless & preserve you & if we never meet again think kindly of me & accept my unbounded[?] thanks for all your kindness & pray[?] do[?] give my kindest regards to M^r. Wallace & love to Fanny & Herbert⁸ & with most kind love to yourself I am & ever shall be your most affect[ionat]e Sister. MW [signature]

send me a bill[?] ^{again Mary}[?] of Emmas[?] best[?] I[?] yearn[?] desparately [sic] of it[?] <for> <m>aking the Shifts for Dolly, as she w<ants> it for Miss B's satisfaction. MW[?]

M^rs. Wallace

Rawdon Cottage

Hoddeson

Hert[ford]s[hire].⁹