2285. Robert Southey to John Murray, 23 July 1813 ⁠* 

Keswick. July 23. 1813.

My dear Sir

You have on the other side the exordium of the History, [1]  with this difference only that in the volume it will be in the first person, instead of the third. – Before it is printed we should make sure of M Wellesleys accessibility, – or else we must omit the matter about xxxx the mention of our source of information. I have means of access thro his son in law Mr Littleton, & shall of course avail myself of them – but the best channel will be thro Mr Canning. Shall I write to him – or xxx <will> you have an opportunity of mentioning it to him personally?

You may be sure that I shall bestow upon this work the utmost care, – indeed none but those who have witnessed it can tell the unweariable solicitude with which I collect materials from the remotest sources, & hunt a point thro fifty volumes for the sake of becoming fully informed of every thing relating to it. About the terms I will write to Turner. We shall not differ about them.

When first I mentioned the subject I believe I told you that I should write also to Longman & to James Ballantyne, – on account of the tranferable matter contained in the Register. [2]  Longmans answer approved the notion, & deferred any father explanation till we should meet, – for they expect soon to see me in town. I hope you & they understand each other, that I may not be thought to have acted otherwise than with perfect openness & propriety.

The book will certainly be the better, if it be wholly written before it goes to press. The objection to this is that at least three quarters of a year will be lost, & thence there arises a heavy inconvenience to me who live by my pen, & xx who drew two thirds of my income from the Register. – But I doubt not this may be accommodated to our mutual satisfaction.

If it be possible I will postpone my journey to London till a more convenient season. It does not wholly depend upon myself.

You will have the first part of the Reviewal [3]  in a day or two: it will I trust be to your satisfaction.

Are you satisfied with the title of the History? I do not know that I am, tho it has cost me a good deal of provoking consideration. War I think is a necessary word in the announcement, but it may perhaps be dropt in the title page. – I have thought of a dedication in verse to the memory of Mr Perceval. [4]  Perhaps (between ourselves) it may be expected elsewhere, – but this would come from the heart, & be the only one to any public character for which I could entirely approve feel entirely satisfied with myself.

It will not be necessary to include the affairs of Spanish America, – neither would it be possible. For the subject would require too much room, – it would scarcely be practicable to obtain compleat materials, – & what is (which is of itself decisive against meddling with them,) – the troubles will not close with the war in the peninsula.

I am rejoiced to hear so well of Nelson. [5]  But this History is the work which will place my name where it ought to be.

believe me

yours very truly

RSouthey.