BYRON'S LETTERS TO DOUGLAS KINNAIRD ... - Get a Free Blog

“Hospital Supplies” – I have already ordered for the [Ms. tear] of a thousand men for two years – at
least [Ms. tear: “as”] D r . Alexander states them – in a letter which I forwarded to you some time ago. –
They did not cost above seventy or eighty pounds sterling. – The Artillery will be thought of – but it
may be difficult to purchase it in time, to take up with me. – But I will convey them what I can – and
put my resources at the disposal of the Cause – when there – and this is all an individual can do. – I
shall proceed to avail myself of your handsome credits in my favour – according to circumstances. ever
y rs . N. B.
1:2 [above address:] P.S. Address to me at Genoa – my letters will be forwarded – in case I should
have sailed before their arrival. – You will of course continue the insurances of L y B’s life – as being
quite requisite – in other respects you must retain all incoming monies to face the credits with which
you have furnished me. – –
I have to thank Hobhouse for his kind and somewhat [below address:] daring quotation from me to his
Electors the other day. – He must be a bold man to venture during my unpopularity amongst the
English. – Your brother is here – looking well – dines with me to=day – when we shall drink your
health and prosperity. – Pray make some arrangement with Hobhouse to include him in, or devolve on
him the Power of Attorney in case [curls up right-hand side:] of anything occurring [curls round top of
section below address:] – but I hope you will take care of yourself and do well. – – – – 150
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Genoa, June 9th 1823:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43454; 1922 II 263-4; BLJ X 196)
[To, The Honorable / Douglas Kinnaird. / Messrs Ransom and C o . Bankers. / Pall Mall East. / London.
/ Angleterre. // Inghilterra.]
A two-side sheet.
June 9 th . 1823.
My dear Douglas /
By Saturday’s post I sent you a letter from Cap t . Blaquiere to me – and if his next
confirms it – I shall go up to join the Greeks forthwith. – We cannot exactly make out – what stores
they chiefly want – but I suppose that money will be the most useful – as they then can apply it as
occasion dictates. – I would suggest to the Committee’s consideration – to send some Congreve rockets
speedily – and engineers to instruct the G ks . in their application. – Depend upon it they would have an
effect – also if Wilson 151 quits Spain – send him up – he would do wonders probably. – It is rather
strange that I hear nothing further either from Hobhouse or the Committee.
y rs . ever
N. B.
1:2 [above address:] P.S Your brother dined with me lately – and went this morning; – tomorrow I dine
with M r . Hill – to meet – (I believe) the Marquis of Hastings. – If you write – address as usual to Genoa
– as the letters can be [below address, inverted at page bottom:] forwarded – if I should precede them.
– –
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Genoa, June 16th 1823:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43454; 1922 II 264-5; BLJ X 199-200)
[To, – The Honorable / Douglas Kinnaird. / Messrs Ransom and C o . Bankers. / Pall Mall East. /
London. / Angleterre. // Inghilterra.]
June 16 th . 1823.
My dear Douglas / Y rs . of the third arrived this day. Pray take care of y r . health – – I do not like the
“torpor” you mention. – Perhaps before I can receive y r . answer to this – I shall be on my voyage to the
Levant. – I am bargaining for my passage in an English Vessel. – You can address to Genoa. – M r .
Barry will forward all letters. – – I sent a copy last week – of Blaquiere’s very pressing [Ms. tear] for
me to go up to Greece without delay. – As to my affairs – – in anxiety is as much on your account as
my own – – as I should not like to overdraw – and yet may have occasion for all the means that I can
muster – as I should not like to give the Greeks but a half helping hand – but rather aid them as much
as I can. – – As to the M.S.S. – You really must publish them whenever I have sailed – my distance
will diminish the hatred of my enemies – and the object on which I am employed will do us no
dishonour – at least it ought not. – – – –
150: BLJ reads “yrs ever / NB”, but there is no signature.
151: Sir Robert Wilson, Whig radical and war hero, currently cashiered for ordering his troops not to fire on the
crowd at Queen Caroline’s funeral.
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