Owen Johnson Birt, Bristol, to Mr. Stanger, Jr., Baptist Mission House, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London, 3 November 1842.

Bristol Nov. 3 1842

My dear Sir

      I wrote to Mr Angus on Saturday last with a view to ascertain among other things, whether the papers were taken to Ceylon by the Sumatra. He wrote to me yesterday and kindly enclosed a list of the things needed for the outfit, nearly all of which I shall get in Bristol but did not mention the vessel. Now will you be so kind as to send me a line saying what has been done and any further particulars which you may be able to obtain respecting the time of sailing &c. I feel assured that I may rely upon your kindness to do this for me & also to attend to my wishes respecting the cabins nos 8 & 10 with which you are acquainted. I feel very anxious about it because, if you remember, Mr Tyndal only gave us till last Monday to decide. Mr Kidd is quite willing to give us his cabin to me, so there will be no trouble on that account.  Trusting you are well

      I am my dear sir

                                                   yours truly

                                                            Owen J Birt

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), p. 267 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 1761), John Rylands University Library of Manchester. William Wright Stanger, Jr., was the accountant for the BMS.