1004. Robert Southey to Thomas Southey, 17 December 1804 ⁠* 

Dec. 17. 1804

Dear Tom

In spite of the information your letter contains it is the most welcome one that I have received for many a long month. it has this minute reached me – plague on the length of time that has elapsed – & must elapse before you can receive the answer. I write but these few lines – for we have company whom I expect every instant – to tell you to draw on Danvers for thirty pounds if you want it – which you will needs do unless you very speedily get an appointment. I wish to God I could say for a larger sum but you know how the world stands with me. & this will stop a gap till something better may turn up.

I have been in much distress about you owing to the affair of the Lilly. [1]  it was said in the Whitehaven paper [2]  that the first Lieutenant was killed – I am never in the habit of overhastily believing tidings whether evil or good – the paragraph stated that the Lieutenant of Marines, the Master, Surgeon & thirty men fell also. Hall I thought would have been with you, but it seemed an absurdity to imagine that the Master & the Surgeon should be in the boats. [3]  I got Bedford to inquire at Admiralty, & found that some Lieutenant – who I now suppose may have stept into your place – was also in your place when the ball came which might else have borne a billet for you. [4]  God be praised! all is for the best. If Commodore Hood [5]  should not appoint you come to Keswick. One of the new Lords of the Admiralty was a schoolfellow of mine, [6]  who, tho we have no intercourse with one another, would I believe willingly do me a kindness if it came in his way. & I have little doubt that thro him I could get you an appointment. He it was who gave that rascal Edward a birth, who after costing my Uncle 150 £, runs up a bill in my name at a brothel – goes begging of his poor Aunt Mary – & is now I believe at Bristol dashing away, in his uniforms. Whether he ever went on board, or was turned out God knows – to the gallows he must come & I only wish it was over. Dont fret about him – he does not deserve it.

They are not yet come so that I have time to ask you if Michael Birbeck fell in the affair of the Lilly? [7]  his father lives at Whitehaven & has reason to hope the account of his death is not true by what the Admiralty says. the paragraph which mentioned your death was particularly about him, calling him Master – but I & the printer, who have had some communication in consequence [8]  fear he was only Masters Mate – & if so we may have raised the old mans hopes only to make him suffer more severely at last. – You now see why I have not written by the last mail. – moreover the accounts of the hurricane said at first that a frigate was lost at Dominica, & that also alarmed me. Do write for the future let what will turn up. Plague on these people! they are below – & I will not lose a post in the hope that this may reach you in time to be of use –

God bless you

yrs very affectionately

RS.