Mr Hitchin
Mount Stewart, 16th Oct. 1845
My Dear Sir,
About the beginning of this month I wrote you to delay paying the premium on my Insurance Policy till you should again hear from me on the subject.
From certain circumstances I have thought it would be better for me to discontinue this Insurance, and in the supposition that the Society would buy in the Policy so that I would not lose much. I wrote to inquire and enclose you the answer I received. I was rather surprised at this view of the subject, as I would have thought that it was immaterial when Policies were taken up as to one year or many, as it is a mere matter of calculation the value of the same according to its period.
I write you now to beg that you would have the kindness to ascertain whether I am to understand that in case of giving up the Policy now I should receive nothing in return. Though it may not be "the practice of the Society" to buy up at this early period, they might perhaps do it notwithstanding.
Also please let me know whether I stand as a Member of the Society, or on a different footing, for I cannot at present recollect.
I shall be glad to hear from you early on these points. You have my address.
I remain,
My Dear Sir,
Yours Truly,
James Thomson.