Letter addressed to the Hon. Mrs Maitland, Totteridge Green, Hertfordshire. In the first part of the letter, Maria Cowper berates her sister (coining the word 'scoldation') for Penelope's criticism of William Wilberforce, suggesting that she visit him instantly to apologise. It appears that Penelope had suggested that the St Domingo massacre of 1791 was a direct result of Wilbeforce's writings. Maria explains Wilberforce's views on the slave trade, and cite's also their cousin, the poet William Cowper (W.C.) in support. She remarks that she is boycotting rum and sugar from the Caribbean, and is glad to have been one of the first to do so. She is nevertheless hopeful of new sugar supplies from the East Indies, and exempts medicinal imports from her prohibition.