Reid, James to Ann Reid (1845/05/19)
Green Hithe London River May 19th/45
Loving wife,
we are now all clear for a start will sail to day we are to bee towed with steam Down to the orkness — Lady Franklin hase orderd all the officers Likness to bee Taken and mine amongst the Rest with my uniform on— she keeps them all by herself— Sir John Franklin Gave us prayers yesterday his Lady wase in Company, your order will bee sent to you when due, I got 6 Months Pay,— I joined the Erebus 27 March, bee sure and Call on Mr Finleson the Tailor and Make arrangement with ^him^ you know more about his account than I do; once you are underway with your half pay you will bee— abale to pay him part Every month, once you get the acct below twenty pound he canot Hunt you, — the other Ice master wase taken out of the ship for £37 ‘’ but I Rather ^think^ he hase got it settled— we paid the ships compy on Saturday Inst. David Leys is not Quartermaster I have nothing more in the meantime will write by the steamer if we daeent go into the Orkness GoodBiy keep your hart up we will both meate again, this Voyage perhapes [?] will the last that ever I make, I have nothing to doo my work is Coming I am sorry to say I am Badly of for Quarter Masters and we are the Leading Ship, it will keep me much on my Legs—I think I have Every thing Right but Short of White Shirts, and whate I have are Quite gone This Leave me Quite well Hopes it will find you and the family the same, by this time you have Received my Chest. ——
Remains
your Loving Husband
James Reid