John Clarke, Penzance, to Joseph Merrick (care of the Rev. W. G. Lewis, Cheltenham), 13 February 1843.

Penzance
Feby 13th 1843

My dear Br & Friend,

   I am rather taken by surprise in hearing of your expected departure for Africa—I had hoped we should in the end have gone out together; but God our Father knows what is best—His will be done—

   I know not that I can advise you much respecting what you should take. I see no use at all for another Tent; as you are not likely to travel, I suppose, as we did, for some time—If you could take Pitch Pine Framing for a small House it might be serviceable but unless the Vessel is to call positively at Clarence Cove, you could do nothing with this at all. Bed-stead—Mattress etc.—a few hard wood chairs—plates etc. Hardware of all household sorts would be necessary—you can buy ship chairs and have Tables, & common bed steads made there, if you choose, but all are dear, & not very well made—The Table you might get there better than any other thing perhaps—you had best consult with Mr Wm Stanger, & take care that he gives you plenty of paper, I shall never forget the distress I was in for want of writing paper—

   You should have a good supply of flour, Sago, arrowroot—Salt, Candles—Lamp oil—a good lamp, a stove for drying the house in rainy weather—Coffee—Cocoa—Tea—Sugar—all the things they gave us when we went out—and a double supply, if possible that Mr Sturgeon may share with you—take a good dress each of Blanket clothing. Don't be afraid of its thickness—you will both of you want it in the rainy weather—Take a few pairs of shoes—one pair thick soled for the rains—good silk umbrellas—Light hats—Plenty of nails for Building of Locks &c a few—I shall bring more I hope with me when I come. Take some common knives, not clasp ones; and some "Remnants" for barter. I hope to see you ere you go—In the mean time write me to Plymouth, I shall be there again soon after the next Sabbath—If you write before Friday address me at Falmouth—

   On Tuesday 21st I shall be at St Anstell—then go to Plymouth for about a week or more. Thank you for the letters. Mrs Clarke will send them to you when she has read them. I wish you had reminded me of the Heb. Bible at Berwick—I have written Mrs Clarke to send it to Fen Court for you—

   I am sorry to hear of your Boils, I hope you are now better—My work here is very hard, I have very little time for any thing, but travelling & speaking

   I remain with warmest love to you & dear Mrs Merrick, your ever affectionate Br & Friend

                                       John Clarke

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 299-300 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 2650), John Rylands University Library of Manchester. William Garrett Lewis (1797-1865), was the Baptist minister at Cheltenham, 1842-1864.