Stephen Howland to his Brother, Westport, October 2nd, 1845

Dear Brother

I take this opportunity to inform you that my Family and myself are enjoying usual health hoping that these lines will find you your Officer and Crew in good health. Your Family and connections are all as well as usual as far as I know and it is about a usual time of health in the neighborhood at this time. I was at Fall River a short time since and Mr. Durfee handed me the amount of the Brig Guanimeter and outfitts. All amounted to about 8150 dollars including about 700 advance to the Crew. It is rather more than we expected but at the same time I do not know of any thing you have that will not be needed in a whale voyage. There is no Insurance on the Brig or outfitts. We enquired at several offices and they asked more premium than we thought but to pay so Mr. Durfee and all the owners here thought but to have nothing insured on her so of course should any thing happen to the Brig it would stand you in hand to save everything you could as you would not have any underwriter to call upon for what may be lost. I am in hopes that you will get along in harmony with your officer and crew do justice by them and I am in hopes you will be blessed with a good voyage. Your wife called in to our house last evening and said she should write to you. Capt Francis is getting along with his house very well. I have not heard him say any thing about going to sea soon. Thomas Mayhew has shipped a Capt Cushing from Mattapoisett for the Catherwood she calculates to sail in a few days. Joseph Thompson has got married since you sailed.