1193. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 25 June 1806.
1193. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, 25 June 1806. *
My dear Wynn
John Southey is dead & has left me nothing. One estate is willed to a distant relation of his mothers, whose name I do not know, about 20000£ in legacies, the rest to his only surviving brother, – from whom my intelligence comes. How easily might I have been a rich man at this moment! & thank God how little difference does it make in all real enjoyments that I am what I was. The knowledge of his illness might have disquieted me with hope, as it is I feel little or no disappointment, & as the main part is left to the most proper person, (myself & my brother excepted) – have still a chance.
Peace will probably soon open a way for Lord Strangfords advancement. [1]
God bless you
RS.
Wednesday June 25 1806.
Notes
* Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqr M. P./ Whitehall/ London/
private
Stamped: [illegible]
MS: National Library of Wales, MS 4812D. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK
[1] Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe, 6th Viscount Strangford (1780–1855; DNB), entered the diplomatic service in 1802, as secretary of the legation at Lisbon. In Portugal still in 1806, he was named minister-plenipotentiary ad interim. With the advance of the French in November 1807, he persuaded the Prince Regent of Portugal, John VI (1767–1826, King of Portugal and the Algarves 1816–1826) to leave for Brazil. BACK
