Maria Grace and John Saffery, Salisbury, to Anne Whitaker, Bratton, [Tuesday], 19 May 1812.

Salisbury May 19 1812

My ever dear Anna,

   I must answer your tender, disinterested inquiries, tho’ the present moment seems unfavorable to decision. The little Guest you speak of, is not promised, or rather not fully expected til the close of the present month, & yet in seasons of pain and languor, I am ready to calculate on a speedier arrival. This afternoon has been somewhat of this description but my judgement, still inclines to the former date. Now I would rather meet you with this sweet personage in my arms than merely expected there because I shall otherwise regret perhaps your needless expence of feeling at the exact period of introduction. I think this may be avoided by your coming hither the day after the Association & proceeding to Southampton without delay. On your return with the dear boy I shall hope to meet you in circumstances of improved health and comfort, a participation which I greatly prefer for the indomitable spirit of my Anna – Lucy wrote to Colchester on Friday inclosing the Lines < > well & beg kindest remembrances – you must speak for her whole circle to Ryland in terms of suitable regard the delicacy of her health is a formidable source of anxiety which < > the Coach goes to Cheltenham again this summer – what do you think of her trying the air & waters for a few weeks? You know the gentleman is far through on the other side.   

   I have scarcely breathing time for writing from various interruptions – but I must express my regret for Percival! a passage from Shakespeare that I cannot correctly quote wandering in my imagination while I think of him, “[And death, tho’] by a villains hand.”[iv] My dear S. has a line for our dear Brother which he will reserve to himself. Adieu I am always

                                 Your’s Maria Grace Saffery.

You will say what shall I do with the Boys when I get to Sarum  it will be then the vacation here also or they go on to Bratton without you, especially as they will have been indulged with Mamma at Southampton – I am only afraid of my dear Brothers murmer here, but he must remember all my claims & I promise not to forget his –

Letter continues in John Saffery’s hand:

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: 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. For a complete annotated version of this letter, see Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 331-32. 

Reference above is to the birth  of the Safferys' last child, Edwin Cecil Saffery, who died as an infant in March 1814. Spencer Perceval (1762-1812) became Prime Minister of England in October 1809; he was assassinated in the lobby of the House of Commons on 12 May 1812.