Letter from Aaron Graham, Sheerness, to John Grubb, 1799 July 19 : autograph manuscript signed.

Recommending, Mrs. Yates, an actress under his patronage; saying "I took her up a child of misfortune and have succeeded in establishing for her a tolerable independence - of course she does not offer her services under the usual disadvantage of wanting bread. In her own opinion I dare to say she is equal to Mrs. Siddons but my regard for her is too sincere to allow me either to wish or expect that she should be accepted as a first rate character - an useful one I will be bound to make her if once I can get her under my own eye and those are a kind of people (notwithstanding you have already so many) that you still seem to me to stand very much in need of. Mrs. Yates is perfect in all the first tragedy parts and the most material in genteel comedy too she has been used to play - In short I would not interest myself so seriously about her if I did not think she would answer and that I was doing the House as well as the Lady a service by recommending her to your notice. And as I know her capability and that she will submit herself entirely to my direction & Instruction I have little doubt of her becoming every thing you could wish (or rather I should have said expect) her to be before the end of the season. I beg again to say that you could not do me a great kindness than by allowing her to be introduced to a London audience at your House and as to salary (for I have such hope of her as to make me easy on that head) I shall not suffer it to be a material object in the negociation well knowing that if her services are deserving of it the liberality of the managers will not be wanting to give her every necessary encouragement whatever may be the articles entered into between them. If it should be required I would be in Town to execute any necessary agreement whenever you think fit to favor me with a line to that effect."