My Dear B
It gave me great pleasure to hear of
your safe arrival, but shoud experience double if
I coud see you. Am sorry that you’ve met with
another smooth, dishonest Scotchman, but there
will always be such while we have to do with
the world, let us seek a better inheritance than
that afforded by a transitory world which we
every day find more fleeting than ever; even
one where neither moth nor rust corrupts, & where
thieves break not thro’ nor steal. William
has been with Leech & Cheetham, & they know
nothing of the matter nor have ever received the
Bill. I have just left my Uncle Spear in
his old corner, very chearfull & much better than
yesterday, I hope the Lord will spare so valuable
a life yet longer; accordingly to the value, we
estimate the loss, & fears in his account {^have} run high
[new page]
but hope they may now safely subside. A letter
from Jane Spear this {^morng} this informs us they are all
well the (except the Old Genⁿ & I’m happy to say
the same of us all. I saw M ^rs R {?I} yesterday & she
is well & desired respects. I now wish to ask when
I’m to expect you? Surely the next letter wont be
silent upon the subject; the first I did not expect
it from, but shall feel disappointed if the second
does not say something about it. My Papa
& Mamma desire their respects to you & M^r S – also
Brother Will^m & the nephew. Tho^s cant say so
but shews he has not forgot you, by repeatedly
calling Papa, & say’s poor Papa gone tata, we have
taught him to say to Scotland. Will comes to
me & desires I’ll ask Papa to bring him some
pocket handkerchiefs, how he has got it into
head I don’t know. Presenting my best respects
to yourself & fellow traveller
I remain
My D^r B your truly
affectionate Wife
R Bateman
Man^r
Nov^r 26 1793

My Dear B
It gave me great pleasure to hear of
your safe arrival, but shoud experience double if
I coud see you. Am sorry that you’ve met with
another smooth, dishonest Scotchman, but there
will always be such while we have to do with
the world, let us seek a better inheritance than
that afforded by a transitory world which we
every day find more fleeting than ever; even
one where neither moth nor rust corrupts, & where
thieves break not thro’ nor steal. William
has been with Leech & Cheetham, & they know
nothing of the matter nor have ever received the
Bill. I have just left my Uncle Spear in
his old corner, very chearfull & much better than
yesterday, I hope the Lord will spare so valuable
a life yet longer; accordingly to the value, we
estimate the loss, & fears in his account {^have} run high
[new page]
but hope they may now safely subside. A letter
from Jane Spear this {^morng} this informs us they are all
well the (except the Old Genⁿ & I’m happy to say
the same of us all. I saw M ^rs R {?I} yesterday & she
is well & desired respects. I now wish to ask when
I’m to expect you? Surely the next letter wont be
silent upon the subject; the first I did not expect
it from, but shall feel disappointed if the second
does not say something about it. My Papa
& Mamma desire their respects to you & M^r S – also
Brother Will^m & the nephew. Tho^s cant say so
but shews he has not forgot you, by repeatedly
calling Papa, & say’s poor Papa gone tata, we have
taught him to say to Scotland. Will comes to
me & desires I’ll ask Papa to bring him some
pocket handkerchiefs, how he has got it into
head I don’t know. Presenting my best respects
to yourself & fellow traveller
I remain
My D^r B your truly
affectionate Wife
R Bateman
Man^r
Nov^r 26 1793