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Chadderton
March 11, 1814
Sir
Late yesterday your letter came to hand with a Bank Note value £50 enclosed, for which I must acknowledge myself very much indebted to your benefice and return you many thanks. Through the carelessness of the Letter carrier it was delivered to another person as belonging to him; and he not thinking otherwise, without examining the directions, broke it open, but instantly perceiving the letter was wrongly delivered he instantly sent it me. Had he not been an honest man it might probably not have been traced out, without a deal of trouble and difficulty, from the postman's downright neglect, for no other it can be called, as the name to whom it was delivered is very different from mine, and that mine is the only one in this part of the country, but well known in Middleton where the post office is, from a late relative resident. I learn that letters before containing bills have never been received by the owners to whom directed in this populous neighbourhood. How for truth I cannot say, but it is well to be cautious and upon one's guard.
That which you have the goodness to speak of becoming due this Lady day I am not in immediate want of, and hope I shall not for some months yet to come. The sooner I get through this business the better - nay the sooner it is finished it will cost me less money, but I would wish to leave it to the world as perfect as I am able, and that every specimen may have its due rank. If it can by any means be kept together, it will then be my greatest ambition to endeavour to complete it, I mean the productions of the Colony of N.S. Wales, as I flatter myself that what I already know of that country gives me a great opportunity of still farther extending my views.