1899
United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka, France
March 31st, 1899
Fifth Avenue Hotel, Madison Square, New York.
My Beloved Angee,
Well here I am once more in my old quarters and sending off my first mail since my arrival. We landed about 6 on Wednesday evening and the cable I sent you left the ship at the quarantine station an hour or so before this but would probably arrive in England too late for delivery that night as the time in England is 5 hours later than here. The voyage altogether was very interesting and fine thro' the mercy of God – the next day I spent chiefly at our office arranging the work and today I have had a busy day with the young Fitch in calling upon dealers ‘specially for Rowntree's goods. He is very glad to be taken round and introduced.
Called on our brother Mr Whelpers yesterday and returned with him in the afternoon to Brooklyn to take tea at another brother's house where he was intending to spend the evening – we had a nice time together. Tonight is the prayer meeting in New York which I shall hope to be present at. This hotel is very full and they have had a very busy Winter – a lot of our passengers came here, so that we are familiar with each other's faces.
Trust you are now settling down in quietness again and forgetting the very unpleasant experience of saying goodbye again. The Lord will I am sure comfort your heart and more than make it up to you.
Trust your young ladies will be a continual comfort to you and I do hope dear Mildred will be strengthened in her body and now my dearest Angee with much love to you and all our dear ones believe me.
Being very affectionate Husband
I got through the customs without much trouble – indeed none at all – the inspector said I suppose you do not want all your things examined – I said no – handed him the Invoice value of all my samples upon which I paid £1 duty and I was passed without any further inspection, so I was not long in getting it all upon a carriage to the hotel.