William Carey, Mudnabatty, to Charles Short, to the care of Edmund Boehm, London, 1 November 1799.

Mudnabatty   Novr 1. 99.

My dear Bror

         I am favoured with yours of May Past which gave me me much pleasure, not only because it intimates the restoration of your health, but also because you speak of a design to return to India, for it gives me satisfaction to find that others unite with me in giving a decided preference to this Country, except, what must always be excepted, in point of Society – that Mrs S. also is willing to accompany you is a pleasing Circumstance.

         I had heard of your visit to Northampton from several of my Friends who were much gratified with your presence. Dr Ryland of Bristol also wrote me that you had called on him; he is a Man of genuine worth, a man whom I esteem more than I can express to you.

         I wrote to you about 12 Months ago; which I espected you would have recd soon after your arrival in India England, but you mention not having received any Letter form me, at which I wonder much. I hope this will arrive in due course.

         Many very serious changes have taken place since I wrote to you last, which form a particular Era in the History of my Life. Repeated inundations have induced Mr Udny to give up Mudnabatty, and I am in consequence without any support except the Society’s Allowance to me – I commend him for giving it up, as it was altogether unfit for such an undertaking – I had last June purchased a very small Indigo concern on [f. 186v] my own account about Six Coss1 further North, at a place called Kidderpore, to which place I am now removing, this place however tho entirely out of the reach of Inundation was not profitable this Year, on account of the lateness of Rain for sowing.

         I however and mine are in the Hand of a gracious God whose help I have always experienced in time of need, and who I trust will never fail me nor forsake me. In him I will trust and not be afraid, because I know that he will do all things for the general good, and the general good tho’ it may often require the enjoyments of an individual to be lessened, yet is of so much importance that I willingly commit my ways to the disposal of infinite Wisdom.

         I thank you for remembering to send me Seeds &c. – I have written to Calcutta to get them from Capt. Blake, and send them up to me. I cannot imagine what Books Dr Clarke has sent me, but shall soon know – My acquaintance with him was but slight, except as a professional Man. I am however so much the more interested in his testimony of regard for me –

         We are tolerably well, Mrs Carey excepted, who has by a long course of unhappiness of mind, so much injured her constitution, that she is now much reduced, and to all appearance will soon fall into a decay of a very dangerous nature – William has been ill of a Fever for about a Week or ten days, but is much recovered; I was in doubt whether he would recover, but all dangerous Symptoms have subsided. Felix now is become a Man of Business. He is at Kidderpore, managing in my absence. [f. 187] Jabez and Jonathan are also well, and very fine lads. Indeed we have had a very good share of Health as a Family for these three or four years.

         I must now take my leave, with desiring my love to Mrs Short, and best remembrances to all my friends in England. I am very Affecty

                                 Yours,

                                             W Carey

This is not the Season of Mango Seeds or I would send some – to send other seeds, especially culinary ones is like sending Coals to Newcastle indeed, but I will remember you –

Address: Mr Chas Short | to the Care of |Mr Edmd Boehm &c | London

Postmark: none

Note

1 A  kos (coss) was the distance a human voice could be heard; it was a common measurement used at that time in India.

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25386, fols. 186-87. At some point someone, possibly Short or Boehm or Mrs. Catherine Short, sent the letter to Rippon, who kept it.