3480. Robert Southey to Sir Henry [Edward Bunbury], 8 May 1820
3480. Robert Southey to Sir Henry [Edward Bunbury], 8 May 1820*
15. Queen Anne Street. Cavendish Square
April xxx8 1820. May 8.
Dear Sir Henry
From the length of time which has elapsed since you offered me the use of your papers concern relative to the Peninsular War, [1] – you may perhaps have supposed that I had either forgotten or neglected an important means of obtaining information, & a very friendly invitation. I am now however, for the first time since the offer was made, in the metropolis, & am length able to avail myself of it. Will it suit you to receive me on Tuesday the 30th? Or in any part of the fortnight following? With my knowledge of the subject, previous collections, & habits of dispatch, two days I should think would suffice for perusing the papers, & making such notes as would be necessary. As soon as I return home, which will be in the last week of June, my history of the war will be put to the press
Believe me Sir Henry
with much respect & regard
Yours faithfully
Robert Southey.
Notes
* Endorsements: Recd
25th/ Ansd 26th; From Mr Southey/ May 8th 1820
MS: Pforzheimer Collection, New York Public Library, Misc 1392. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] In early 1818 Bunbury, who had served as Under-Secretary of State for War and the Colonies 1809–1816, had offered access to materials in his possession that were needed for Southey’s History of the Peninsular War (1823–1832); see Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 8 March 1818, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Five, Letter 3088. Bunbury had been prompted to do so after a conversation with Peachy; see Southey to William Peachy, 24 March 1818, The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part Five, Letter 3103. BACK