| Description | He notes problems with previous correspondence before coming to the 'main question' of whether his finances are so poor that he is unable to stave off bankruptcy. Middleton's debts are about £80, and he lists his assets of books, tools, a tricycle, a steam engine boiler, a steam bicycle, engines and other items. He has many models of submarines and flying machines ans he thinks the entire contents of his house are worth £1,000 in insurance value. He is in this situation because American relatives have refused to sell land, the proceeds of which Middleton required to support himself. He was too poor to continue a court case on this matter. He was brought to near ruin a week ago when baliffs entered his house, taking away his instruments and engines to sell for their scrap value he thinks. He expands upon his debts and inability to get credit, saying that he signed papers to sell some land several days ago, but the purchaser will not pay until October; other land he cannot sell until next December. Middleton laments the 'trifling' debt of £80, the argument with family members, and the position it has put him in, in trying to support his own large family. |