Autograph letter signed : Sheerness, to Miss [Harriet] Palmer, 1814 Feb. 5.

Noting that she has received a letter from Miss [Cassandra] Austen regarding the maidservant Anne who has just left the service of Mrs. [Francis William] Austen, and describing the woman's reluctance to take a position where she will be required to be on board a ship; her stay with her husband on shore with Sir Thomas and Lady Williams and private wish to return to their own quarters on board the HMS Namur; regetting to hear that Harriet is unwell and promising to send her some medicine; relating news of their "poor brother" John recently received from one Capt. Wallace ("he says he is a very correct young man keeps the best company & is very intimate with a Col. in the army whose name I forget but he is an acquaintance of Lady Williams & a very respectable man, John is a good deal with this gentleman, rides with him every day, but they both smoke, however this is a trifle, & I have no doubt he will soon forget it."); concerning her three little girls who are staying in Keppel Street, including little Fanny, who has a cold.