I am no preacher, as you very well know; but I have a strong sense of the responsibility under which we shall both lie with respect to a poor girl, brought by us into the midst of temptations of which she cannot be aware, and which have turned many heads that might have been steady enough in a quiet nursery or kitchen in England.
To find a man and wife, both of whom would suit us, would be very difficult; and I think it right, also, to offer to my clerk to keep him in my service.

He is honest, intelligent, and respectful; and, as he is rather inclined to consumption, the change of climate would probably be useful to him.

I cannot bear the thought of throwing any person who has been about me for five years, and with whom I have no fault to find, out of bread, while it is in my power to retain his services.
Ever yours T.B.M.
London: December 5, 1833 Dear Lord Lansdowne,--I delayed returning an answer to your kind letter till this day, in order that I might be able to send you definite intelligence.

Yesterday evening the Directors appointed me to a seat in the Council of India.

The votes were nineteen for me, and three against me.
I feel that the sacrifice which I am about to make is great.