Reference
X490/1
Title
Letter written by John Howard, the prison reformer, from a Venice Lazaretto, to Thomas Thomason, his servant at Cardington.
Date free text
12 October 1786
Production date
From: 1786 To: 1786
Scope and Content
Arrived after a two month's journey; nearly taken by a Tunis Privateet but this driven off by own canon "which was well loaded with old Nails, spikes &c". Having received letters from home "the accumulated misfortunes almost sinks me" and intends to return as soon as possible but must stay in Venice 40 days because of his shio's "foul bill of Healthm the Plague being in the place from whence we sailed". They were in good health but two ships anchored there had to burn the clothes of those that died on board. Believes that Thomason would have died from fatigue or plague on "this Turkey Tour". Expresses displeasure at the "disagreeable measure" in London [a subscription was being raised to erect a statue to him]. The Consul has let him down regarding currants for "poor friends at Cardington" but the Vice-Consul will send them from Lante, "distribute them to my Tenants and the poor Cottagers". Sends his compliments to various named friends - wants John Prole to write to him in about 10 weeks "at the Post house in Amsterdam". In signing off complains of a violent headache.
[This letter was presented to the Howard Reading Room by former Vicar, the Reverend E J Hillier, in December 1896]
Level of description
item