C. E. Birt, 10 Cave Street, Bristol, to [Joseph Angus, Baptist Mission House, London], 23 January 1843.

10 Cave Street Jany 23rd

My dear Brother

   I feel greatly obliged by your favor received yesterday and must cordially concur in your proposal of substituting specimens of the recent editions of the New Testament from our own press for the Wesleyan copy of the Cingalese Bible.

   From the rank that Dr Richard holds not only professionally but as a Scholar I should be gratified by knowing that the illuminati might discover in his library proofs of the excellency attained in the Translation department of our Mission.

   We have not heard from our dear Owen since the pilot left the ship. The few lines which he brought on shore and posted at Ryde were indeed most satisfactory but unless they meet a vessel in the way, there is now no expectation of hearing from them again till they have reached Ceylon—The late gales have tried our faith though we cherish the hope that the Sumatra may have got beyond their range.

   There is one point which I undertook to ascertain from you in confidence as he felt fettered in it and that is whether the expenses of his journey to Portsmouth may be legitimately deducted from the twenty five pounds put into his hands as a provision for the voyage—This question I trust my dear friend you will accept as it is confidingly proposed and tell me most cordially what is the proper view of it—

   I trust your health holds out under your abundant labors and with a grateful sense of your personal kindness and attention I am  

         My dear brother

                           Yours most sincerely 

                                       C. E. Birt

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), p. 294 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 2456), John Rylands University Library of Manchester.