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

Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Missolonghi, March 12th-13th 1824:
(Source: text from National Historical Museum, Athens 19436; 1922 II 289-30; BLJ XI 135-6)
[To, the Honourable / Douglas Kinnaird, / Messrs Ransom and Co. Bankers / Pall Mall East / London /
Angleterre / via Otranto / N.B. // 1824 / March 12 / Messalonghi // Opened by the Quarantine Office,
resealed and forwarded by [Ms. tear] Yr most obt Servt Zante 18 March [Ms. tear] S. Barff]
Messolonghi March 12 th . 1824.
Dear Douglas /
Enclosed is an account in dollars of the monies advanced by me to the Greeks – since
my engagement in their cause. By this you will perceive that I require reinforcements. – I have drawn
in favour of Messrs Barff & c for three thousand pounds S tg . therefore, in the expectation of further
credits which I hope are on the way.
March 13 th –
I was interrupted yesterday – and must write to=day – without much certainty that the letter will reach
you – for the Plague has broken out this morning in the town – and of course precautions will be taken
in the Islands and elsewhere. –
It has been supposed to be communicated from the Morea – be that as it may, a Man from thence has
just died of it –
1:2
as my Physician says – whom I have just seen – as well as {the} Prince Mavrocordato. – –
What the event may be cannot of course be foreseen. –
To resume – It would be advantageous nay – even necessary for me – or {for} my heirs – that you
should sell out of the {3 per Cent} Consols now while they are so high – it might make a difference of
ten thousand pounds in our favour on the original Sum invested. Surely Bland would consent to this –
and wait for the occurrence of a Mortgage at four per Cent – or take one on fair security. – I wish much
to impress this upon your mind. – – –
I hope that you have arranged the Rochdale business – as well as you could and completely
according to your wishes. –
I hear that Hunt has been found libellous; – we must pay the expences,
1:3
[repaired Ms. tear: “&”] his fine – if he had consented to my coming over as I requested – this would
not have fallen upon him – but to this he frequently objected – declaring that they would not prosecute
the Author – but the publisher. – –
I shall be the more anxious to hear from you – as the Communication will probably be interrupted for
some time to come – Whatever may [Ms. tear: “occur”] to me – believe me that I [Ms. tear: “am”]
and was – and will be – (as long as I am at all) ever y rs . very
faithfully and affect ly .
Noel Byron
To, The Honourable
Douglas Kinnaird
& c . & c . & c .
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Missolonghi, March 13th 1824:
(Source: Ms. NLS TD 3079, f.72; not in 1922 II; BLJ XI 136)
[via d’Otranto // AUTRICHE PAR DUNQUERQUE // To The Honourable / Douglas Kinnaird. /
Messrs Ransom & C o . Bankers. / Pall Mall East. / London. / Angleterre. // Inghilterra. // Zante 18 th
March 1824 Opened by our Quarantine office, resealed & forwarded by your most obedient Servant –
Samuel Barff]
Messolonghi. March 13 th . 1824.
Dear Douglas –
Since I sent off my letter this morning I perceive that I omitted to enclose the account
mentioned of the sum I have advanced to or on behalf of the Greeks since my arrival in this Climate. –
As I wrote so recently I have little to add except to report {softly} my strongest recommendation that
you would sell out of the funds {for me} – while they are so very high – and favourable – and take a
Mortgage – for the investment of the monies at four per Cent if requisite. 2d ly . – to pay H t ’s expences
for his trial and fine – 3d ly . – to receive the Rochdale monies – and 4th ly . to send me out Credits as I
may possibly require all available sums for the assistance of the Cause here.
97