King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Letters of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bevan, 1804-1811.

Letter Number 6

Dated 14 Aug 1804 from CB at Stevens Hotel, Bond St. Addressed to: Miss Dacres (no address given)

I am much concerned to think of the disappointment you, my beloved Mary, may experience tomorrow morning in not receiving the expected letter, but flatter myself that this temporary chagrin will be fully compensated for when you hear that the communication of our wishes to my Mother, has met with an approbation beyond my most sanguine expectations, she only regrets, she says for both our sakes, the extreme narrowness of the income we are likely to possess and at present declines promising any thing to increase this, but when her affairs are finally settled and her plan of life arranged, which of course must very shortly be accomplished, it will be a source of much happiness to her if she is able, by making some allowance, to contribute towards that of my beloved Mary and her son – I expect however to hear something more satisfactory on this head soon, as I had only one morning to talk with her – sister Julia being on a visit where the rest of our party were engaged to dine on Monday, this was the reason it was out of my power to reach town last night sufficiently early for the Post, as I accompanied my Mother. My Mother and sisters beg their best love to you Mary, and very much regret the distance between Wearde and Bedington prevents their having the pleasure to see you – I did not forget the Cottage – nothing would afford her so much happiness that it should be so inhabited – I am at present writing in bed, it is so early that no person in this house is yet up –and I have so many things to do in the morning, as I set off for Colchester to night, that I am sure you will excuse this brief epistle – I will write to you the moment I can learn with certainty our destination. I enclose the account settled for Lady Hawarden – Farewell! Dear, Dear Mary –

I am for ever only yours
Chas Bevan
Stevens’ Hotel
Bond St 14th August 1804


NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER

i) Wearde – Wearde House in or near Plymouth was Admiral J R Dacres residence
ii) Bedington – Mrs Bevan (mother) house
iii) Lady Hawarden – there was a Viscount Hawarden – 1st Viscount 1797
iv) Colchester – shortly before this Paget had moved from commanding his brigade at Fermoy to a Militia Brigade at Colchester – but shortly afterwards moved to command a brigade near Eastbourne