Cockermouth August ¹2 th 1787

My Dear Madam,
I should take shame to myself
in not acknowledging the Receipt of your Polite
and friendly Letter ere this, had not M^r Bensons
absence from home prevented my wish at that
Time; which I flatter myself your goodness will admit
of, and that our united thanks you will do us the
favour to accept of, for your affectionate and mater{^nal}
attention, to our dear Margaret, who along with
us considers herself Tyed to you Cap^t Hare and
your amiable daughter, by every obligation_ which
at Present seems Totaly out of Power to make
an adequate Return, and tho, we should be happy
to have Marg^t, (who you are so Condescending as call
your young friend) with you at the Xmass Recess
We cant altogether agree to it, without a Previous
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Promise: that you will as soon as convenient
after our dear girls Return home, make a family
Party into Cumberland, where we should be happy
and Proud to see friends, for such you must give
us leave to stile you, from your affection to a
Branch of our family - on whose account we are
much flatterd by your Preference, and hope she
will ever make it her study to deserve the good
opinion of so valuable a family _ with M^r Benson
and my daughters uniting respectful comp^t,
with best wishes to you & Cap^t Hare ~
I remain dear Madam under
the greatest Obligation
your Humble Servant
Isab^l, Benson

[new page]
M^rs, Hare
Cowley

Cockermouth August ¹2 th 1787

My Dear Madam,
I should take shame to myself
in not acknowledging the Receipt of your Polite
and friendly Letter before this, had not M^r Bensons
absence from home prevented my wish at that
Time; which I flatter myself your goodness will admit
of, and that our united thanks you will do us the
favour to accept of, for your affectionate and maternal
attention, to our dear Margaret, who along with
us considers herself Tied to you Cap^t Hare and
your amiable daughter, by every obligation_ which
at Present seems Totally out of Power to make
an adequate Return, and though, we should be happy
to have Marg^t, (who you are so Condescending as call
your young friend) with you at the Christmas Recess
We cant altogether agree to it, without a Previous
[new page]
Promise: that you will as soon as convenient
after our dear girls Return home, make a family
Party into Cumberland, where we should be happy
and Proud to see friends, for such you must give
us leave to style you, from your affection to a
Branch of our family - on whose account we are
much flattered by your Preference, and hope she
will ever make it her study to deserve the good
opinion of so valuable a family _ with M^r Benson
and my daughters uniting respectful compliments,
with best wishes to you & Cap^t Hare ~
I remain dear Madam under
the greatest Obligation
your Humble Servant
Isab^l, Benson

[new page]
M^rs, Hare
Cowley