Autograph letter signed : London, to Messrs. B.F. Stevens & Brown, 1904 Feb. 4.

Confirming that the autograph manuscript of the "Virginians" "was until your client purchased it the property of Mrs. Ritchie's daughter, she brought it direct to us and until then it had never been out of the possession of the Thackeray family. We are quite sure your client will not in any way give publicity to this statement for it is an unpleasant necessity which has made Miss Ritchie part with it."