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. Not previously published.
These letters were edited with the assistance of Ian Packer and Lynda Pratt
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The original error in this unpleasant business can I think only be
explained by supposing an error in writing 3 or 500 – instead of
3 or 4: – in reply you advised the larger
sum, & most unluckily Mrs WR in her letter to me
specified no sum when she said her “debt” was lying in the bankers hands at my
disposal.go with the draft, – not
entering into any farther explanation with him, than that of telling him (as a friend
to whom I tell every thing which concerns me) how I became entitled to such a
sum.r Dickie, the Chief Clerk in Coutts’s House,His This letter was dated Nov 4. Nov. 7 He writes the letter <of> which
I sent you a copy, & upon re examining that letter x it appears to me
that my first opinion was right, – ‘the house of Pole & Co refuse to accept the
Bill which I presented to them &c. The inference seems to be
that they accepted it at first conditionally, – as it was drawn (“as you have been or
may be advised) – that they wrote concerning it to Ilam,
& received the advice which led to its rejection. This seems to be the natural
inference, & yet I can hardly think it possible. For if I had drawn beyond the
intended amount Mrs WR would surely have concluded there was a
mistake somewhere, not that I could have committed an action a fraudulent
& scandalous action. But however that may be, my character is brought into
question at the Bankers.
For the first time in my life I am utterly at a loss how to act. Bedford is at this time too closely engaged at the
Exchequer, & also too much an invalid to go to the Bankers, – & indeed to
enter into explanation with them, & ask their permission to draw for the smaller
sum, would be to xxxx <like> putting myself on my defence, &
expressing a doubt whether that permission might be granted. With the business of
protesting it I had, as you know, nothing to do, – except to feel the whole
impropriety & the whole inconvenience. The bill is in Bedfords
hands, I can desire him to burn it & to pay the costs incurred, & I am
inclined to think that the best – & only course I can pursue is to do this, &
let the matter rest, till you have an opportunity of explaining it. The money would
have come seasonably, – but come when it may now, it will be dearly earned, this
vexation being taken into the account.
Of course I can have no stomach to continue the memoir
There is nothing which I dislike more than troubling any person about
my concerns, more particularly when they are of a vexatious kind. And yet I am
troubling & vexing you, who have so many & such important concerns of your
own! – You no doubt understand that the unlucky act of noting
the Bill