25 April 1721, Duchess of Bedford to Mrs Mary Oadham,

Description

A letter written from Streatham by the Duchess of Bedford (Elizabeth Howland's daughter) to her cousin Mrs Mary Oadham at Madras, sent following the death of Mrs Elizabeth Howland. The Duchess congratulates Mr Oadham on his advancement to the Council at Madras, while observing that affairs in India seem as changeable as those in England. She apologises for not having written sooner, having been too greatly afflicted by her mother's death to do so, and offers her condolences on the loss of the Oadhams' young son, reflecting that "there is no happiness here without some Allay." The Duchess explains that she has been seven months in Bedfordshire and only lately returned to Streatham, and that she fears she may be unable to send by these ships the £50 bequeathed to Mary by her late mother, as the vessels are already in the Downs; she has, however, asked a friend to request Mr Drake to buy silver on Mary's behalf if possible. She also mentions a missing receipt enclosed by Mr Oadham and sends regards to him and to "cousin Beck."