Joseph Ivimey, London, to Thomas Raffles, Liverpool, 19 December 1819.

London Decr 19th 1819

My dear Sir,

          I know you will excuse me for troubling you with this letter. My friend Mr Richard Burton, who is a member with us, and Mr Charles Evans, a member with Mr Roberts of Bristol, are going as missionaries to the Island of Java. They expect to sail on Wednesday next. I understand that you promised Bro Burton that you would give him a letter of introduction to the Governor. I shall feel exceedingly obliged, and you will greatly serve the Society by sending a letter for that purpose by return of post. I feel confident that you will be “happy thus to help them forward after a godly sort.” I am, Dear Sir,

                                                               Yrs most respect[fully]

                                                                                 Joseph Ivimey

P.S. They go by the “London.”

Text: Eng. MS. 379, fol. 1056b, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Richard Burton (d. 1828) sailed with his fellow BMS missionary, Charles Evans, to Sumatra in 1820 (both men were Bristol College students). They would work for a time with Nathaniel Ward.