Letter from Robert Stephenson to his stepmother

Mrs George Stephenson
Eldon Place
Newcastle [upon] Tyne London June 4th 1824


My Dear Mother

All the temptations you can possibly lay before me or all the charms of home upon which I can now only reflect will prove fruitless in freeing myself from the engagements which I now entered into. Glad would I have been to have joined my father in his undertaking at Liverpool but I do not even now despair of taking the chief part of his engagements on myself in a year or two and if I was returned home again this work will always be an important crisis in my life to reflect upon I hope with pleasure to myself and a degree of family honour to my dear parents, the respect and love I have for them seems to be increased with the distance I am from them-
This week in London has been one of the most miserable ones I have ever had in my short experience. We have been packing all up and that you may readily conceive was a matter of no small trouble and perplexity of mind but my friend Empson is writing along side of me to my father his is I dare say giving a full history of our proceedings for I am sure I have neither time to give you a full account nor can I even think about it- I have a number of engagements to fulfil this day and leaves London at½ past 3 a.clock for Liverpool. The ship is said to sail from thence in a day or two-
I have desired Charles to send a parcel home which will contain the seal that I talked of giving to Ed. Storey as a remembrance- He will perhaps now attach it to his watch and that on one that he may always rely upon as a true friend. My best and dearest respects to his mother and all friends-
& Believe me Dear Mother in great haste Yours Most Sincerely
Robert Stephenson

P.S. I will never let an opportunity slip of letting you know where & how I am.

R.S.