From Bishopsgate Street, London, to Mary Fletcher at Madeley, Shropshire. In the absence of their brother [Samuel] from London for a few days, he asked William to write to Mary on his behalf. Financial details are discussed with regard to Mary's income.
It has been a long time since William wrote or received a letter from Mary. He trusts that she is enjoying good health. The return of peace [almost certainly the Peace of Amiens which ended hostilities between France and Great Britain in May 1802] and the abolition of income tax has made people rather more contented. The new tax burden will be much lighter and the working classes should not complain too much at having to pay a little more for their beer, especially as their wages were increased substantially at a time when bread was expensive but has now halved in price. He does not doubt however that the working people in the 'manufactories' around Mary will grumble a little but it was impossible to remove the income tax without replacing it with something.