John Saffery, Salisbury, to Philip Whitaker, Bratton, [Tuesday], 19 May 1812.

Attached to Maria Saffery's letter to her sister is the following letter by John Saffery to Philip Whitaker:

My dear Brother,

   My Mary says I have a line to add which by the way is just now an unwelcome truth & for this plain reason that I fear it may prove so to you, but I will state the occasion. My Stock is heavy & my book debts large, of the former I cannot readily dispose, & the latter I cannot immediately < >  Mr Marsh who is heavily encumbered in his own trade has assisted me to a considerable extent, & is still anxious for my interest. He begged me on Saturday to solicit assistance of yourself or Mr Blatch of him I cannot ask it & from you I do it very reluctantly – Yet I am so well assured of your affectionate concern for my comfort that I venture it with no greater regret than a fear it may involve you in my negation if you cannot lend me with convenience 2 or 300 £s – At all events you will not distress yourself should a negation be expedient but believe me in any case

                     Your affectte Bror

                                 J Saffery

I expect to Bape 5 men & 4 Women Sab. Morning beside 3 at least from Shrewton Church

Text: Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 331-32 (annotated version); Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.30, Angus Library, Regent's Park College, Oxford. Address: Mrs Whitaker | Bratton Farm near |Westbury.  Postmark: Salisbury, May 1812.