Demerara Jany 2nd 1837
The Mail Boat is about to sail my dear Kate sooner than expected & I have been so overwhelmed with work in the way of writing that I could not give even half an hour to the pleasure of private correspondence. All came together as is often the case. End to the year, quarter & month, long disputes between Molesworth & his Clerk of Works at Berbice which I had to settle, reporting thereon rather a delicate matter after his affair of the Court Martial, only fortunately he is in the right box but, as you remark, he always requires some person with common wit near him. This and the Grant of Ordnance lands attempted by Sir Com which I have been forced to resist has cause me sufficient to think of just at the making up of the letter bags. The latter is partly the cause of Sir Com & your lord’s difference, however, so long as I feel my duty is performed, I go on as gay as ever. As to health, I never was better, notwithstanding my sojourn at Berbice where I remained about 10 days, passed much more agreeably than formerly owing to Mr McDonald’s attention. The passage back was short but rough in the extreme as the small Schooners that pass along this coast close in shore frequently get into the Rollers – at times very bad on these coasts. The same disappointment occurred as to the date of your letters. I have not yet recd the dispatches due by the 15th Novr Mail on the 7th inst – two should be forthcoming unless they go by Canterbury. A delightfull letter reached me under cover to Mr Young the secretary, brother-in-law to Capt Peake, now gone poor fellow, from Capt Tait, who is fated to know you. He was about to start for Portsmouth to be quartered, so find him out my dear Kate, a more valuable person there cannot be. He writes that he saw Sir F Mulcaster who informed him that arrangements were making to bring the Off Engrs home in a shorter period from this climate than heretofore & that he hoped to see me home this next summer. This is too good, still the expected promotion or something bright may turn up to terminate my transportation. I will continue this after the Mail boat starts for I shall be late. Today a Levée, the Govr to be sworn in as Gov of B Guiana – all of us in full fig for the ceremony, pouring rain, six oclock in the morning drive at Gov House, thursday 60 or 70 people. Oh! how I wish I were at home. Tom Naghten, right well, told me you were gone to London. What now? I am all anxiety to know. Mrs Naghten had written saying you offered to take letters – it must be a mistake, I think. Poor Fred – I shd like to have seen him. Love to all, kiss the dear girls and as usual thump Augustus. How is Mr Hawker, & are all my Aunts & MOB well? In a few days I will write again, more to the purpose.
Believe me your ever
Afft Fred English