William Brown, 5 Standishgate, Wigan, to [Joseph Angus, Baptist Mission House, London,] 14 March 1843.

Wigan Mar 14 1843

5 Standishgate

Rev Sir

   I hope you will excuse the liberty I take, in requesting you to furnish me with the address of some Missionary, or Mission Agent, or pious individual at Madras; who would be likely to procure for me, some information, of the circumstances attending the death of a younger brother; who, though having two diplomas as a Surgeon and Apothecary, threw up his prospects; and, following the bent of his depraved nature, and his fondness for intoxicating drinks, entered the service of the East India Company, and died a gunner at Madras. Trusting your Christian kindness will excuse my freedom

                           I am Rev Sir

                                       Yours faithfully

                                                   William Brown

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 314-15 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 2938), John Rylands University Library of Manchester. William Brown was a leading member of the Baptist church at Wigan.