Letter from Esther Esten, Bermuda, to Charles Austen, 1808 July 26 : autograph manuscript signed.

Explaining that she was prevented from performing her "promise" to him (of writing sooner) by an accident in which she dropped a mug of hot water and burned her foot in her successful attempt to prevent her son Palmer from being scalded; updating him on (his wife) Fanny Austen's appetite and activities in his absence, noting that they have been "hoping that an arrival from Halifax will bring us early accounts of you", although they have had "pleasing accounts" of him from friends in England; writing that "Mr. Esten has been under a course of medicine" and sends his sincere wishes for Austen's return; informing him that the "prize vessel and cargo are to be sold tomorrow", and that she has been anxious lest the arrival of provisions should dampen the sale, while acknowledging that this is selfish on her part, as a supply of provisions would "beneficial to the island"; sending her regards to (Austen's midshipman) Tom Fowle, Sir Robert Laurie, and "the Admiral's family", and adding that Fanny would like him to send her "twenty or thirty yards of fine white flannel."