Joseph Clare, Manchester, to Samuel Giles, Manchester, 1 August 1842.

Respected Sir

   For the favor you have so kindly rendered to the individuals who waited upon you some few days ago, whose object was to ascertain whether they might be able to obtain under the Baptist Missionary Association a situation in some part of British India,—they doubtless are willing to show you their gratitude for the promptitude with which you so immediately acceded to their wishes in obtaining for them the required information and, Sir, though I was not among the number then present allow me to assure you that the information to me was equally gratifying and satisfactory when made acquainted with it, for which I venture to forward you my most sincere and heartfelt thanks—

   In presuming to trouble you with these lines I wish to intimate that I was the first person who broached the matter (the purpose above stated) to the young man Nicholson who I presume must have mentioned it again to the persons who accompanied him to you: he not being in constant employment, and, consequently, having some loose time on his hands, I asked him to endeavour to obtain the required information, which of course you have very kindly given, in conjunction with Mr Angus, of London—Now, Sir, in order to show you and give you an idea of the cause which induced me to desire such information, and which has brought about the application made, I must state that at a meeting which took place some few weeks back, in the Corn Exchange, a brief report of which (enumerating the various objects which the Association wished to carry out)  appeared in the paper on which I am regularly employed—that report gave me to understand that men in our business were (if not already would ere long be) wanted &c one of the objects stated was that it was intended to establish a Printing Establishment somewhere in India & I, consequently, was anxious to know something about the matter—you have afforded that information, and gratified that desire; and as an individual who is at all times anxious and willing to serve and render all the good my humble means and capacity are capable of benefitting, in any way, to fellow creatures, I could make up my mind to undertake a situation in that foreign country under the Missionary Society; but perhaps Sir, my family encumbrance might be an obstacle and objection it would not be so on the part of ourselves, meaning as my wife would willingly accompany me—I have 2 children—a boy and girl—and my wife is very near her confinement of another—however the society might not altogether object to the family—if so, it might be obviated in this way—if the Society were to advance the passage and traveling expenses it could be paid to them back by installments—say—so much per month which would willingly be done; though my wife might be able to do some little good in that country, as she had been for many years prior to her marriage a Sunday School teacher—It is also necessary that I should state my age—I am 30, until October next when I shall complete my 31st year—With regards to the practical acquaintance of my business I may mention that—after having served seven years apprenticeship since which I have worked in four different establishments each of which I left on my own account, and four years I occupied the situation of superintendent in an office at Stockport where reference might be made if necessary—however from my experience I consider myself competent to superintend and manage a Printing Establishment—with respect to religious experience I can only say that I am in the habit of frequenting a place of worship (in the neighborhood where I reside) Hope Street Chapel, Liverpool Road Oldfield Lane—denominated Independent as to piety I think it would be indiscreet on my part to dwell, but I am fully conscious that the Lord’s light has not stricken my heart with any other influence than merely ephemeral devotion Sabbath after Sabbath—I am very sorry that I cannot give a better account of my piety than already stated still were I to be engaged under that benevolent association I venture to guarantee my conduct and example would be such as to give all the outward and visible signs of submission and respect to my superiors and showing loving kindness and brotherly love towards all whom I shall have authority over—I may here mention that I have only been in Manchester close upon three years prior to that I resided [at] Stockport where I attended, as teacher, the Stockport Sunday School for all denominations some time; after which I frequented Rev. N. K. Pugsley’s Chapel—probably the School and the Rev. gentleman you are acquainted with. I don’t know that I can add anything more that is really necessary unless I state that providing I should be thought worthy the society’s observation I might as well say that I have a good and comfortable situation at present both as regards employment and situation in domestic life—a comfortable house and goods necessary—these of course I should sacrifice for the object which myself and the other individuals are seeking.

   In conclusion I wish to ask Mr Giles to be kind enough to intercede in my behalf, and if he should think fit to forward this or any portion of it (to Mr Angus) it is quite at his will and pleasure so to do—With all due respect I beg to subscribe myself to Mr. Giles

                           Most humble and obedient Servant

                                       Joseph Clare

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 242-44(annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 986), John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Joseph Clare was a letter-press printer at 23 Mottram Street, Salford, near Manchester (see Pigot and Slater’s Directory of Manchester and Salford, 1:63). Hope Chapel began in 1837, but it did not officially open for worship until December 1838 (it was later enlarged in 1843). John Poore, from Highbury College, served as the church’s first minister, 1838-1853. In 1853 he and Richard Fletcher, pastor at Grosvener Street Independent Chapel left Manchester to work in Australia as missionaries with the Colonial Missionary Society. Nathaniel Knight Pugsley (1787-1868), then residing in Heaton Norris, was the minister at the Hanover Chapel (Independent), Manchester, 1821-1858.