WCP1659

[1]¹

Pará²

18 October 1851

My Dear Madam³

I received a few days ago a letter from M^rs Sims⁴ in answer to mine which communicated to you the sad intelligence of the death of your son Herbert;⁵ as M^rs S[ims]. seems to express a wish to hear further from me concerning his last moments & the papers he left behind, I hasten to comply as far as I am able. I believe that I told you that two days before his death I was myself taken ill with the same disease & although it did not take a strong hold on my constitution I was confined to my room ten days. Others of our friends who attended him to the last say that he did not appear conscious that his case was serious until a few hours before his death, when he told M^r Miller⁶, that "it was very sad to die so young". He did not mention the name of his brother, or friends, or express any wish before he died. Towards his end he folded his hands as if in prayer & died in strong convulsions. He did [2] not, that I am aware of, bring any money with him down from the interior & whilst he was well disposed of his gun, carpenter's tools &c M^r Miller, as consul; arranged his accounts, paying the medical man, his lodgings &c. His collections were sent home entire by the next vessel addressed to M^r Stevens,⁷ they contained a great variety of miscellaneous curiosities. I saw no papers — he told me he did not keep a journal, there is a portfolio with some letters which if not already sent, I will tell the present acting consul to forward with the clothes chest in which they are probably contained. Since the loss of Herbert several other English residents have died, M^r. Miller amongst the rest, whether the latter wrote to Alfred or no before his death I cannot ascertain. I think no one knew where he was residing & many months have passed since he wrote to Pará. I have just heard however that he is expected daily at the Barra of the rio negro [sic]⁸ with a very rich collection & I intend to write him by the first canoe that leaves for that place. The present year has been a very fatal one in Pará, the most serious disease being the small pox which has smitten perhaps a third [3] of the population. I am much obliged to M^rs Sims for her kind wishes respecting my own health. With great care I have been able to pass through the many fearful epidemics that have visited this unfortunate country, with but little injury. Poor Herbert was much regretted here, being a favourite with all who knew him & I can fully sympathise with your grief for so great a loss. With my best respects to yourself, M^rs S. & family

Believe me | Dear Madam | I remain | Yours truly | Henry W. Bates⁹ [signature]