Anne Andrews, Salisbury, to Maria Grace Andrews, Portsmouth, [c. June 1795].

   My dear Grace’s letter whh I received last Night at Rook’s office considerably relieved the anxiety of my Mind it was notwithstandg very much exercised on acct of our beloved friend I could not help wishing you safe at home – but I must hasten to give you some information respecting the contents of the Box &c:  I was rather chagrin’d on finding it would not contain all the things you needed and was quite straiten’d what to do – but at length determined to send the dimity Petticoats by Rook on Saturday when I propose writing as also the Slippers & the Edging for your Bonnet whh I could not get ready for want of a proper key to the Box but hope to find some way of commg at it & intend whitening it that it may be fit to run on when you receive it the making of our Bonnet need not be delay’d by this circumstance – I spoke to Rook last night about the Box whh he promised to take if I would send it in the morng but when Hannah carried it said he could not and went and spoke to his Brother who sets off in the Afternoon – I felt mortified but hope this will make no difference.

   I had written a few lines before in great haste but determined for some reasons to change them for this scrawl as the Box was delay’d the principal one was that I had neglected desiring you to write on Wednesday as I shall have but little rest till I hear of your safe arrival.

   The weather today distresses me exceedingly on your account & should be much more so if it were not for the conviction I feel that you are under the care and protection of a Friend who is not only willing but able to preserve you from every danger I have therefore reason to be ashamed of the sinful distrust & unbelief of my heart.

   Adieu my dr love believe me to be with the tenderest concern for your real comfort and felicity both of a temporal and spiritual nature    

         Your very affecte friend & Sister

                                 Anne Andrews

Remember me tenderly to my dr Mrs Saffery & with suitable expressions of affection & respect to Mr Saffery Mr & Mrs Horsey &c

Text: Timothy Whelan, gen. ed.,  Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840, 8 vols. (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, p. 100; Reeves Collection, Box 14.1.(j.), Bodleian Library, Oxford. Address: Miss Andrews. No postmark.