Poole, 11th July 1846

Poole, 11th July 1846

My Dear Sir,

            On arriving here yesterday I received your note of the 8th sent on from Blandford. I would remark that I never call at the post office except when I have ordered letters to be left for me there, therefore please always to put the name of a friend in the address, as you have done on the present occasion. The note should have been delivered to me in Blandford, but was not. Mr. Homer was not at the meeting. We had seven Clergymen there, the best meeting, Mr. Glyn said, that he had ever seen in Blandford, and our collection was double that of last year.

            I can very easily excuse you, My Dear Friend, in not answering my little inquiry about Investment on Monday last, with your 72 letters on hand. I gathered however enough from yourself and Mr. Brandram as to your position in such matters as to see it would not do, and in consequence I applied at the Government office near Northumberland Square, and found the money, being a charity, could be there received, and the regular interest of £3 paid. I have apprised our friends at Barrow of the same.

            The little difference about investment is, I am happy to say, very little, as I gather from different communications, whilst all our thankful that the matter is settled. From the circumstances I learned in Barrow it appeared clear that the ..... part of the money could properly be sent to Earl Street, and the Secretary in Barrow writes me that he believes the business could not have been settled at all had it been arranged that some part should have been sent to you.

            I received the two enclosed notes you sent and both opened. This same was the case, as to the opening, in the two notes I got when in Lincolnshire. Pray does Sir James Graham visit you from time to time in Earl Street to open letters, or have you a Sir James Graham among yourselves? Most of my letters addressed to Earl Street are Private Letters, and one likes always to open such oneself.

            I am aware that those opened are opened in the understanding that they are Bible Society letters. Some of them are so and when they are such, they will regularly be returned to Earl Street, but I should like as it is natural, to open all my letters myself. I know you will excuse this little frankness.

            Believe me, My Dear Sir,

                        Yours Very Sincerely,

                                    James Thomson.