Editor’s NoteEditor’s Note210To Samuel Bentham3 April 1777 (Aet 29)

Whether W. will execute the conveyances or no, a few days will now determine. If he does, he will have done all that Guy can have a right to press him to,—and more. If not let him press him and do what he will with him in God's name. I have told you before that if the estates are not mortgaged to the people who have the writings, their having the writings does not signify a straw. I have asked W— and he says he has an exact particular of all the writings, which of them are in which person's hands. So that in case of a trial, they would be compellable to produce them by a common Subpoena such as is used to bring people to give their evidence. The only inconvenience attending the not having the writings is the not being able perhaps to find a purchaser who would buy the estate without them.

I expect every day either to see or hear from Wise. If I do neither within a few days, I will write to him to propose what you mention. If I see him I will propose it to him by word of mouth.

I can say nothing to your expedition at present. I wait for W. and I wait for a man who is to come and pay me some money, and settle an affair I have never told you of. I am going to have a new Tenant in the room of Boozey.²

pg 41If you have not sent my Father's letter before this comes to hand, do not send it me: but send it at once to him. Mrs. D. would be kind enough to take a copy of it for you. You might then send me that copy.

I wrote by this packet to Mr. Davies.

I shall propose to W. to take a Catalogue of the goods in his house distinguishing which are his own and which Mrs. A's The former he might then make over in consideration of the 100£ you mentioned as being borrow'd of her at the Marriage. The event of such a business would at any rate be uncertain: for it is uncertain whether the Bailiffs would attend to any claim that should be put in, as their being in his possession is primâ facie evidence of their being his. In that case there would be an action to bring against the Sheriff. To do the best that can be done I would propose that a power of Attorney may be given by Mrs. Ackworth to any body the W's could confide in for instance Neale the Parson³: that this P. of Atty. should be lodged in Mrs. W.'s hands so that in case of the goods being seized then and not before Mrs. W. might deliver it to him (Neale) that he might claim them in Mrs. A's name. If they hold together till I go down the Power might be granted to me: or in case of my being absent for a day or two, to me and Wilson jointly and severally: indeed I should suppose that all our three names (N's W's and mine) might be put into it at once. I shall certainly recommend the sending off whatever things Mrs. W. does not want: the silks for instance. I have Garret-room enough: they might be sent here; in case your expedition does not take place.

How could my dear Mrs. D. possibly think that her writing could be troublesome to me? It is troublesome to me to write letters, but it is no trouble to me to read them from any body, much less from her. I had scribbled all my paper away last time, and had no room to tell her so.

L's affairs are not brought yet to a conclusion. The Chairman scheme they make objection to. But they have now within these few days put fresh business into his hands relative to E. India matters.⁴