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This letter has had a hard life. It has been in water at some time, has been torn in a couple of places, and one portion has been torn away. It is surprising that it has survived for more than 200 years. The only reason we bought it was for the postmarked date stamps in red ink.
A close inspection shows that the first one was applied in Edinburgh on the day it was written, 23 FEB 1807, but it must have been too late for the delivery, as it has been postmarked again the next day 24 FEB 1807, but the year has been inserted upside down on the second stamp, so that it looks like 2081. For some reason there is a full stop after the year, and that is what makes the figure 7 look like a figure 2 when it was applied.
The other postal marking on the letter is the figure ‘7’, signifying a cost of seven pence which was the cost of a letter carried over a distance of between 50 and 70 miles. This charge was in force from 1805-1812.
The letter itself is quite hard to decipher because the ink has faded over the years, particularly where it is water damaged, so it is not always possible to be sure of the words, but it is addressed to what appears to be Mr T Campbell, Writer, Dumbarton . The signature inside the letter is also very hard to read, but could be Alexr Parson.
Inside the letter begins with no address, just the abbreviated name. the missing words are indicated in brackets.
Edin 23rd Feby 1807
Dear Sir,
I am favour’d with your letter accompanying the copies of the Minutes of the Town Council of Dumbarton at the last Michaelmass Election and at the election of the Delegates including the Minutes regarding the Deacon which was very proper.
I have this day received a letter from Messrs Spottiswoode & Robertson, London, requesting we would get Regular Extracts written on the proper Extract Stamps of all these Minutes and of the different (------?) used on these occasions with the (legislation??) to them instantly made out and signed by the Town Clerk of Dumbarton. The meaning of this is to guard against the possibility of incident in case anything should happen to prevent the Town Clerk from getting forward in time. A person who is to come to the notice of (……?) his presence being necessary in London, will come to Dumbarton to compare these Extracts with him and he will then (but not till then) sign them in the presence of that person, and deliver them to him, that he may carry them to London. The proceedings on these two different occasions, viz: Michaelmass Elections and the Election of the Delegates, should be made out separately and distinctly from each other, so as no one may be produced separately from the other if (that?) shall be judged proper.
The person who is to confirm these Extracts with the Town Clerk goes up to London with Mr Alexander who has fixed on this day eight days to set off, so there is not a moment to lose.
I am Dear Sir,
Yours truly
Alexr. Parson
Then he adds a postscript
P.S.
If the Town Clerk shall refuse to comply with this (but which I cannot think he will do), be so good as to instantly write me.
A.P.
Mr Thos(?) Campbell etc..
These old letters often pose unanswerable questions. In this case I wonder why would London solicitors require Extracts of meetings of the Town Council in Dumbarton in Scotland, which were held to elect church officials? If anyone who reads this would know, I would be delighted to know the answer.
Reference:
Great Britain Post Roads Post Towns and Postal Rates 1635-1849 by Alan W Robertson.
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