Mr. John Puckridge¹

Dear Sir,

I am greatly obliged by yours of the 13^th Inst. and having duly considered it have arrived at the conclusion that it would be wrong for me to impose on your kindness and disturb the arrangements of your numerous family by sending the children to you. I will apply to Alfred's brother,² who without family at present, and as he was much attached to him will probably be happy to take charge of them.

I am sorry your applications to Mr. [Fussell?] met with no kind response, his relationship and wealth, much greater than that professed by any other related to the poor orphans should have induced him to have acted with more affectionate beneficence.

With very kind regards to you Mrs. Puckridge and family, not forgetting Minnie and little Alfred.

I am, dear Sir,

Yours respectfully

Thomas Baker

¹ This document is the draft of a letter that he wrote to to John Puckridge. Rev. Baker often wrote drafts before writing and mailing the actual letter, and he may have changed the actual letter slightly or somewhat.

² He is likely referring to Thomas Hampson Baker.