George Bayley, 1 Addington Place, Camberwell, to Joseph Angus, Walworth, 7 March 1843.

1 Addington Place Camberwell

March 7, 1843

My Dear Sir

   Having to leave town in the morning for Yarmouth I shall not be able to meet you at Fen Court on the African Mission as I fully intended to have done—However, as you are already aware of my opinions upon the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two kinds of vessel proposed to be employed—it is perhaps undesirable for me to trouble you with any further remarks on the subject than to say subsequent reflection upon the various points which came under discussion at your house, have only confirmed me in the opinion I here expressed.—viz.

   That looking to the practicable means at the disposal of he Committee—a sailing vessel will be the least costly in the first purchase, less expensive in to maintaining in an efficient state, and not so liable to be put hors de combat as a Steam vessel—

   On the other hand, a Sailing vessel will not move from place to place against contrary winds and currents with the same facility as a Steam Vessel.

   With respect to the communication with the West India Islands from Fernando Po—the distance is too great to be attempted with the slightest chance of success by a Steam Boat of the Size and Build adapted for the African Rivers.—If therefore a Steam Boat he decided upon for the Rivers, a Sailing vessel must be provided for the communication with Jamaica.—if that connection is to form part of the plan—

   Bear in mind, that the annual cost of maintaining a Steam Boat of the size and accommodation required for the Rivers & the Island will be from £800 to £1000 P.r Annum—with the constant danger of injury and loss that is irreparable in Africa.—

   A Sailing vessel, can always be manned by natives some of whom are already well known as useful & efficient Seaman—and the probable injuries are all reparable with the means and materials at nearly all times within reach of her crew,—

   I send with this a drawing of a Steam Boat of 97 Tons—by which you will see that even by putting in a short compact Boiler not more than 20 feet of available length can be obtained for cabins—and when the Steam is high those cabins must be extremely hot.—

   The drawing you will have the goodness to keep in your own possession and return to me after the meeting.—

                           I am Dear Sir

                                       Yours Truly

                                                   George Bayley

Revd J Angus—

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 312-13 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 2826), John Rylands University Library of Manchester.