Philip Whitaker, Bratton, to John Saffery, Truro, Cornwall, [Saturday], 4 August 1798.

Bratton  4th Augst 1798

My dear Friend & honrd Father,

   I have been for some Days frequently sympathizing with you, knowing your present State of Mind must be a very unpleasant one, and that your frequent Expectation of a Letter from Bratton being disappointed must increase your painful Solicitude; yr two half Letters were duly receiv’d, till which Time our dear Maria had not dropt a Word either to my dear Anne or me, respecting the Contents of yr former Epistle.  I confess my dr Friend, that yr openess & Candour & Confidence deserv’d a speedier answer from me but a Variety of Circumstances has prevented, one principal one has been the ill State of Maria’s Health who has been this Week so poorly that talking freely on the Subject wou’d not have been prudent, and without knowing a little of her Mind I did not wish to write, nay I cou’d not tell whether she had or intended to write herself; I think her keeping the Matter to herself so long has both hurt [her] Health & Spirits – she is considerably better than she was a few Days since and Thursday walk’d out for the first Time since Sabbath Day.  I have repeatedly joked her, but from her Sister I learn that much Freedom on the Subject is not to be expected at present; but I wish to tell my Fnd all I can to ease his Mind, and at the same to speak with caution not to give any unfounded Hopes, from all I can gather from my dear Anne Maria is not inclin’d to hasty Decision, and perhaps may be more undecisive and perplex’d that you wou’d wish in her Correspondence  she intends to write soon, I press’d it very much  Today at one Time she seem’d inclin’d, but Resolution fail’d and I can perceive much uneasiness; my Advice to my Friend is let Patience have her due Sway, for I think it will be needful; and let me intreat him to keep the Matter as private as possible for a very considerable Time.  I will diligently watch & if any Rival starts up he shall have the earliest Intelligence; I doubt not but you view many probable Difficulties starting up, and if ever they are made to vanish Time must effect it –

   I consider both of you among the happy Number for whom all Things shall work together for good, and I can say your Interest lies near my Heart; to you I am laid under great Obligations and I hope it is a grateful Sense of them prompts me now to write; your anxiety I have in some measure realiz’d and I have us’d all my Interest to get Maria to write, what Objections rise in her Mind I know not, but the chief I have heard of is the unreasonable Hurry you are in to begin an Affair of this Kind; may infinite Wisdom be your Guide  make it much a Matter of Prayer, and be as patient as you can, if it can be for your Comfort I shou’d with best Wishes return at a proper Time a kind Office you have perform’d for me, but I believe it wou’d grieve many of Yr Friends for the Affair to be blaz’d abroad immediately –

   I am now writing late Saturday Night and can scarely see what I have written  therefore I hope you’ll excuse all Defects.  My dear Wife who is charming well joins me in Duty and Love, and Maria also wishes to be affectionately remembered, and wishing you every thing that can promote your Comfort and Usefulnes in Time, and promote your eternal Felicity I remain

                     Yr Affectionate Friend & Son

                                             Phil Whitaker

P.S.  Shou’d you receive any Thing more favorable than I have written so much the better, but from what I can learn you have no Reason to expect it at present.  All our Family wou’d be remember’d to you very Affectionately and please to present our united Respects to Mr Franklin

   Our dear afflicted Frnd Mr  Head is remov’d to the Fish Ponds  Dr Cox’s.  He is generally sullen  says very little, the Affliction is almost too much for Mrs H. she begs a share in the Prayers of all her Friends

Miss A. intends directing to you the same as I direct this

Text: Saffery/Whitaker Papers, acc. 142, I.A.6.(b.), Angus Library. Address: Revnd Jno Saffery | Revnd Mr Rodding’s | Truro | Cornwall. Postmark: Westbury. For an annotated version of this letter, see Timothy Whelan, gen. ed., Nonconformist Women Writers, 1720-1840 (London: Pickering & Chatto, 2011), vol. 6, pp. 157-58. Within three months of his wife’s decease, John Saffery was making overtures to Maria Grace Andrews concerning a future marriage, a proposal that the strictures of decorum required considerable delicacy from all parties concerned.