[Included below is a draft of Rev. Baker's reply to Mrs. Best (W3213).]

Mr. Baker,

Dear Sir,

In answer to your kind letter with regard to Harriet [sic] Baker your granddaughter I have never taken an apprentice in the House to Board & Lodge but as you wished that I should do consulted Mr. Best & he consented for me to take her [.]¹ I also spoke with Harriet her self on the Subject but she appears very reluctant to leave Home & said she preferred stoping [sic] with her Stepmother who had allways [sic] been kind to her but If you particular wished her to leave home she would rather stay with us then [sic] any one else

Harriet has now been with me four weeks I have found her quit [sic] agreeable & I Belive [sic] a Christian girl [.] She is very backward with the needle & is not as quick as many young people that I have had altho she trys [sic] & is very anxious to learn [.] If Harriet comes to live with us we will do all in our power to make her Home comfortable & aggreable [sic] [.]

I am dear Sir

Yours Respectfully

Anna M Best

[W3213 Draft of Rev. Baker's reply to Mrs. Best.]

Dear Madam,

As I am informed your house is small & that if my Granddaughter should Board and lodge with you she must sleep with the servant, I would rather she should choose another residence where she could be more conveniently lodged. I am thankful her conduct merits your approval and I hope will continue very satisfactorily so long as she may remains under your instructure [sic].

With many thanks for your courtesy and kindnefs [sic].

I am, dear Madam,

Yours respectfully

Thomas Baker

Ps. I have written to Harriett to apply to a Druggist in Paris with whom her cousin lodged and who is I think a distant relation.

I am obliged by your favour of [?] informing of your willingnefs to receive my Granddaughter to board and lodge with you. Whilst I appreciate you kindnefs [sic], I regret that [the draft ends here]

¹ Any changes to punctuation are indicated by [ ]. Spelling errors have been preserved during transcription.