Compilation note: It is not possible to offer records of the RMA in chronological order. Those available are being published. The following 'Account of Stock' for 1848 is typical of the annual accounting recorded in the 'Commandant's Correspondence' record.

When a 'Account of stock, the property of children who now are, or have been ........ the Asylum invested in 3[%] fr Consolidate Consuls: the names of the Trustees of ..... [Dated] 25 February 1848' per Table 1

The reason for columns five and seven headed 'Stock@' is not understood. An explanation from any reader who can throw light on the significance of these two columns would be appreciated. It is thought by one stock analyst consulted that the slight difference between the 'amount' column and the 'stock @' column could have to do with the face value or redeemable value of the coupon. It is nevertheless clear that the authorities of the Asylum took assiduous care of the assets of the children in their care.

That monies were not released to the children until they reached adulthood (aged 21) is evident from the correspondence register. A letter from the RMA to the colonel of a regiment of foot notifying him of monies due to a former pupil of the Institution now enlisted in that unit will be published later. The letter asks the commanding officer for his opinion on how the considerable sum now due to the soldier in question is to be handled.

The final observation of interest is that the original document being part of the 'Commandant's Correspondence' file, the pages were ruled and the information entered in such a way that the scribe or recording clerk had to judge for himself what information had to be condensed to fit. Hence, for example, the child's name in the name column against entry 18 is rendered Jas A. Simpson. For what name Jas is the short form is not known; Jarvis perhaps, or James.

AWC