BIB_ID
206254
Accession number
MA 9382
Creator
Cobbett, William, 1763-1835.
Display Date
1810 December 13.
Description
1 item (1 page, with address) ; 26.0 x 21.6 cm
Notes
Cobbett is writing from Newgate Prison.
Address panel to "Mr. Wright, / No. 5, / Panton Square."
Mr. Bagshaw and Mr. Budd were the publishers of Cobbett's Parliamentary Debates.
John Wright, a bookseller, author, editor and publisher, edited Cobbett's Parliamentary History, Cobbett's Parliamentary Debates and Cobbett's State Trials. While Cobbett was in prison the two engaged in a serious dispute over compensation for editorial services rendered by Wright and not paid for and the division of profits which had been agreed to verbally.
It is likely that the "Mr. H." referred to in the footnote is Thomas Curson Hansard, a printer, who would eventually gain control over the Parliamentary History and the Parliamentary Debates and would continue Wright as editor.
Address panel to "Mr. Wright, / No. 5, / Panton Square."
Mr. Bagshaw and Mr. Budd were the publishers of Cobbett's Parliamentary Debates.
John Wright, a bookseller, author, editor and publisher, edited Cobbett's Parliamentary History, Cobbett's Parliamentary Debates and Cobbett's State Trials. While Cobbett was in prison the two engaged in a serious dispute over compensation for editorial services rendered by Wright and not paid for and the division of profits which had been agreed to verbally.
It is likely that the "Mr. H." referred to in the footnote is Thomas Curson Hansard, a printer, who would eventually gain control over the Parliamentary History and the Parliamentary Debates and would continue Wright as editor.
Summary
Being written while Cobbett is serving a two-year sentence in Newgate Prison imposed in 1810 for publicly criticizing the flogging of militiamen at Ely; concerning a financial dispute with Wright over the proceeds from their joint publishing ventures; discussing the money owed to him from Wright "...for cash that you have drawn from Mr. Bagshaw, the balance is so large, that it would be downright nonsense to talk of my taking notes from you for it. I am satisfied, that, when I come to ascertain the full amount of all that I have paid on account of these works, as placed again the sums that, from this source, I have credit for, there will not be a deficit including the above advanced, with proper interest for all the money advanced and borrowed, of less than 5,000 pounds. - There is no way of my recovering this, except out of the works themselves. And, therefore, I have now settled upon this plan, to continue the works myself, to make a new arrangement with Mr. Budd, and to reduce the State Trials to 1,500 copies, in order to stop that sink of money. - I shall make with you an arrangement for a sum to be paid you at the publication of every volume, and make such further propositions to you, or receive them from you, as may appear reasonable. But, I can clearly see, that unless I keep the things in my own hands, for the present, at least, I shall be embarrassed greatly and Mr. Budd much more so. - Mrs. Cobbett comes to-morrow, and I shall be busy on Saturday; but, sometime on Sunday, I should be glad to see you. - In the way that I propose to [illegible] thing all will be safe;" adding, in a postscript, "I have seen Mr. H. but alas! I must raise the money!."
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