Frederic Trestrail, Pendennis, Newport, Isle of Wight, to unknown correspondent [most likely the son of Thomas Raffles], Liverpool, 23 March 1880.

My dear Sir

   I am very sorry that it is not in my power to comply with yr request. I have only one letter of Mr Hall’s wh I have printed in my little book.

   Dr Raffles had strong passion for autographs & had a large collection some of wh, I think, his son gave to our Mission Library & he seems to have infected you with his passion.

  It is many years ago since I was in Liverpool & unless we see Xtian friends at lesser intervals they are aft to fade from our memories.  And but for yr “details,” I should not have been able to recall you to mind.

   Mr W. W. Evans was a very old friend of mine & we continually met when he lived in London.  I am glad to find you have at last obtained one of Mr Knibbs letters.  If you had not I wouldhave got one from the Mission House.

   Considering how intimate I was with Mr Hall you may be surprised at my not having any of his writing but writing was, to him, a most painful effort, owing to the terrible malady in his back. He was extremely reluctant to take pen in hand.

   My little book will amuse & interest you, as it has done all who have read.  The likeness is a copy of a medallion placed on his tomb, & is beautifully engraved.                 

         I am my dear Sir

                     Yr mo truly

                                 Fred Trestrail

I have nearly completed my 77th year— 

Text:  Raffles Handlist 42, fol.17, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.