John Sandys, Northampton, to the Managers of the Particular Baptist Fund, London, 23 March 1770.

To the Ministers and Managers of the Baptist Fund

Gentlemen being call’d upon by you to give an Answer to somee Queries your Prudence has judged proper to propose, I shall give a distinct answer to each in as concise a manner as I can

To the first I answer in the affirmative, and if required could produce Testimonies from under his hand in Letters which I have by him

To the second I answer I shall think it my Duty, and Happiness too, to be under the Influence, Direction, and reasonable Commands of the Society; and be disposed of as Providence and their Prudence shall dictate

As to the third, it must be owned, my Knowledge and Learning was very inconsiderable when I came to Northampton having then no Acquaintance even with English Grammar --could write and read tolerably and that was most I could do---

I conclude with entreating your Assistance and Advice being disposed to act as your Judgement shall determine in this important Affair and remain

Gentlemen

your devoted

humble Servant

John Sandys

Northampton March 23.  1770.

On the back in an unknown hand are some further comments on Sandys’s application:

Question, as to his Parents Abilities & Inclination to assist him

In a letter to J R he says his father had both Will & Ability to furnish him w.th Cloaths & some small matter of Mony to purchase a few Books or such like Unavoidable Expences & was his Abilities Equal to his Inclination he would not be wanting even to bear the whole of this Expence attend.g his Education.

In the above letter he says that since he came to M.r Ryland I have apply’d my Self to learning the Latin Tongue & w.th some Labour can make a Shift to Translate a Chapt.r in the Latin Bible.

Address:  To | The Gentleman of the Fund | from Mr Sandys

Text: MS. II.a.10.(39), Congregational Library, London.