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

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expending monies on the Greeks {and their} cause till I [inverted along the top:] see better if they
really deserve them. – – – –
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Cephalonia, October 17th 1823:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43454; not in 1922 II; BLJ XI 51)
[To, – The Honorable / Douglas Kinnaird. / Messrs Ransom and C o . Bankers. / Pall Mall East. /
London. / Angleterre. // Inghilterra.]
A single sheet, written on one side only.
Cephalonia. 8b re . 17. o 1823.
Dear Douglas –
I add a few lines by way of duplicate to my answer of the 14 th . ins t . to yours of the 14 th .
August – merely to repeat that I do approve of your proposal of accepting “any sum not under ten
thousand pounds for Rochdale” and of course as much above it as can be fairly obtained. – To your
other question – I reply that the produce for the present may be invested in Exchequer bills – as more
easily reconvertible into capital – and also as bearing a moderate interest. – I suppose that you have
done as well as could be done in the circumstances – having full confidence in your sagacity and
friendship. – You have my power of Attorney – and this letter also for your warrandice to conclude in
my behalf the settlement of this and other affairs. –
y rs . ever
N. B.
P.S. Address to Genoa as usual –
my letter of the 14 th . instant is
fuller than this on particulars.
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Cephalonia, October 29th 1823:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43454; 1922 II 283-5; BLJ XI 57-8)
[To, The Honorable / Douglas Kinnaird. / Messrs Ransom and C o . Bankers. / Pall Mall East. / London.
/ Angleterre.]
Cephalonia. 8b re . 29 th . 1823.
My dear Douglas –
I have received another letter from you to the same purpose – but had already
answered in the affirmative to your proposition about Rochdale – and that more than once – hoping that
you will make the best of the business for me that you can. I have also added that I think the produce
had better be laid out for the present in Exchequer bills – as bearing a moderate interest and little liable
to loss besides being an easily reconvertible (into cash) security. – I trust also that you are getting in the
Kirkby Mallory arrears due to us – and are trying (while the funds are high) to have some {part} of my
funded property invested in a safe Mortgage – this has been my wish for years as you know well. – – –
I have sent to Hobhouse various documents and dispatches from which he can furnish the proper
information to the Committee – the Greek Gov t have invited me to Napoli di Romania – and I expect to
proceed there in Nov r . – You
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had better address to me by Genoa (to Messrs Webb and Barry) my letters reach me sooner through
that Channel – as vessels sail frequently. –
I shall take your advice about the reverend care of my purse and person – as far as is consistent with
propriety; – the former has not yet suffered much – having only been lightened of about a thousand
dollars – partly in aid of the Suliotes – and partly to some of the refugees – and also some expences for
sending boats with dispatches & c . – – and the latter is for the present in tolerable plight. – You,
Gentlemen of the Committee, must exert yourselves – and I will second you as well as I can – but your
newspaper accounts are highly exaggerated for neither Turks nor Greeks have done much this year. – I
shall continue to state things to you all exactly as they are – or appear to me – and the best way not to
despond is perhaps to commence with not being oversanguine. – The Cause is good – and I think
eventually safe (if the Holy Alliance leave the Greeks to themselves)
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and I am inclined to believe that the Committee may be of essential service – in forwarding supplies or
monies – and obtaining a loan for the Independents – but there is still a good deal to be done and more