The fourth letter is a beautifully written lengthy letter, concerning the finances, and explaining the banking details.
It was written by Helen Reid’s uncle, William Cameron writing from London to Robert Simmey Esqre Harriot Street Aberdeen. The postage stamp has been removed but there are three date stamps. First a London evening duty CDS in black
September 29 1841, second an Edinburgh CDS transit morning stamp in Red OCT 1 1841 with initials N at left and M at right, signifying the morning mail, and the table at which it was handled. Third, the ABERDEEN boxed OCT 1 1841 E, the E signifying that the letter had been routed via Edinburgh.
It has the same watermark as the previous letters, WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1839.
The pencil notes are
Mr Cameron about money to Helen Reid and
29 Sept 1841 Mr Cameron about money from America
“London 29 Sept 1841
My dear Uncle & Aunt
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of 16th inst in due course and was glad to learn that Uncle had been enjoying himself so much during the Summer, and gratified at the flattering accounts of Helen Reid.
A few days since I received a line or two from Mr Lyle, which I enclose, I have since received through a House in New York a Bill for £200.0.0 @ 60 days Sight on a London Firm which was duly accepted. I had it discounted and on the evening of the 27th I paid in to Messrs Jones Loyd & Co £68.4.9. to your Credit with the Aberdeen Town & Country Bank which would be advised yesterday consequently will be paid you on application.
He then goes on to explain this amount.
This Sum forms Helen Reids share of the Remittance just received – say £75
Less
Proportion of expence for forming Power of Att & other legal documents £4.10.0.
Proportion of expence for discounting the first remittance of £200 17. 6
Proportion of expence for discount 2nd Remittance 12.9
Postage & letters 15.0
£6.15.3
which with the Sum paid in to your credit say 68. 4.9
makes the amount advised by Mr Lyle £75. 0.0
I thought it better to send it to you at once as should Helen want the amount or any part of it she can easily apply to you for it, please acknowledge receipt of this for the sake of regularity – I shall write to Dundee and tell Helen what I have done.
This illustration shows how the figures were written as if in an account book.
He then continues with information about newspaper reports, and information about what is happening in London at this time.
I wrote Mr Lyle on the 18th and intend to do so again on the 4th Oct when I shall tell him to dispose of the property for cash if at all practicable even although at a reduced rate.
Nothing new here, everybody complaining of Bad times, when things are at the worse they sometimes mend, it is said, and it is to be hoped they have seen the worst.
What is all this row about in Aberdeen about the Clergy – non intrusion and Teetotalism. I hear Mr Murray advocates a glass of Punch before going to Bed – I really did not think there was such sensible men among the non Intrusion Clergy, but it is gratifying to think there are some, I wonder if Mr. Troup of the Banner was not on his tap, I wish you would send me a ‘Herald’ now and then. I generally see the ‘Banner’ and ‘Constitutional’ but really they are not worth opening, more especially the former.
The next paragraph is very interesting, and shows a side of London life which may not be known.
I saw Mr Garden last night at Piccadilly they are all quite well with the exception of Grace who has got her periodical cold. All the family are at home from school during the Michaelmas Holidays. By the By this is Michaelmas Day when we elect our Lord Mayor, and eat goose for dinner. It may seem rather too much for the capacity of Aberdonians who are proverbially so ‘far north’, but it is actually the case that the whole City smells of Roast Goose today, and very disagreeable it is. I shall expect to hear from you soon, meantime believe me
My dear Uncle and Aunt your affectionate Nephew
Will Cameron.
He then adds a note
Be it not strange Robert never writes.
To see the next letter in the series, click on the link below for the fifth letter of 1842,