Autograph letter : West Humble, to James Burney, 1797 November 10.

Writing that she had gone to London that morning to see their father Charles Burney and James himself, but found only her father at home; adding that what she told her father in person she will now tell James; mentioning that their sister Charlotte (a widow) has decided to marry again; listing possible husbands, including Alexander Crighton, Samuel Hoole, Benjamin Latrobe, Thomas Mathias and John Repton; dismissing them one by one for various reasons until only Ralph Broome remains; describing the proposal: "Last Wednesday, this gentleman demanded her opinion of their passing the winter together: &, if agreeable, the next winter also, & the next: Spring, Summer, & Autumn included: & so on, ad infinitum. Charlotte smiled, & said an Agreeable Companion by a fire side was exactly to her taste. Why then, says he, ask your sister d'Arblay to ask your papa's consent, & your Brother's approbation. So I will, says she"; giving a quick sketch of Broome's background and referring to his association with Warren Hastings and his friendship with Charlotte's late husband Clement Francis: "Charlotte has known him many years, & with much regard. He is a widower, &, she thinks, about 50. He was Judge Advocate in India, & Persian Translator. She does not know what his fortune is, but it is evidently above a mere competency, & he proposes settling upon her an Estate he inherits from his Father worth 4 thousand pounds. He is the author of the admirable & celebrated Simkin's Letters, & of more serious tracts relative to Mr. Hastings' trial, & to Indian finances"; instructing James that he can discuss the matter with their father, but with no one else until Charlotte has had a chance to tell her siblings; mentioning that Charlotte will be in Chelsea on Sunday evening and "particularly happy to meet you"; giving Charles Burney's reaction: "My Father has been infinitely kind, & said Charlotte had conducted herself so unexceptionably since she was in her own power, that he would not interfere in her decision"; commenting further on Ralph Broome: "I believe him to be a remarkably agreeable man. His poetry, certainly, is full of wit, & of the first comic cast."