Scope and Contents

Hopes that she got to go to Highwood; will buy the photographs of the royal family and other celebrities for Sarah; wrote to Mrs. Cropper and asked her for recent photographs of her family and the Howsons; the Addisons were going to leave today for London, but will not do so until Saturday since Mr. Addison has had an attack of the gout; Mr. Weed went to London todayl Mr. Ferguson's father is sick so he might not be able to leave his father to come to Liverpool; Mr. Weed said that Mr. Dunning and Mr. Richards were suspected of being spies because they did not make themselves known to authorities upon arriving in Richmond; coped the inscription on the tablet in memory of their mother in St. James Church; wrote another letter to Mr. Menlove, urging him to be reconciled with his wife; the Rector or Vicar of Bebbington the Reverend Mr. Fielden, died; received £300 from Mr. John Wood unexpectedly; encloses a copy of the letter he wrote to thank him [not present]; yesterday morning deposite another £50 in Mary Bold's account; she wrote him a note to thank him; shre would like to come back to Liverpool to see him off, but he will not let her; she will give him the money he holds for her [AM] befpre he leaves; she will also buy her [AM] the stockings she wants; hopes she will decide to come to Liverpool [AM}; cotton prices are low as a result of the capture of New Orleans; Matthew recommends that he buy American stocks in London; thinks that prices in London will not be any better than in New York; thinks that the value of stocks would fall if the Union army was defeated; (16 May) brought the photo album and pictures for Sarah; Mary Bold brought two pairs of stockings; Mary gave him her [AM] money, keeping £5 in case William needs it; encloses information on her stocks and money [not present]; he, Mary, Laura, and Elizabeth all plan to have their pictures taken; bought a new trunk; news of frends; met with Mr. Menlove, who still does not seek a reconciliation with his family; sold 17 bales of cotton; heard that the Conferederates retreated from Yorktown, Virginia to Williamsburg, Virginia and that Union troops followed them; thinks that Richmond will soon be captured; is able to ask Cropper Hodgson & Co[mpany] for £4,850, which he could use to buy stocks in London; spoke with Mr. Cropper, who said that Mr. Hodgson is going to America and that Mr. Weed will join him; they agreed that Mr. Weeed made a good decision; Mr. Cropper says that Mr. Ferguson will come and join him; (17 [May]) Fontaine will call at the Adelphi to see the Frys if they have arrived; will send her letter to Tobin by the overland mail to China. 11 pp. ALS