935. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, [1] May 1804

935. Robert Southey to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, [1] May 1804 ⁠* 

May day.

Dear Wynn

I have a daughter & all is as well as it possibly can be. thank God. [1] 

I wait Rickmans answer [2]  to know whether my claim to his hospitality has lapsed – & if not – shall set off in all probability on Monday from hence & reach London about the Saturday following. tis a cruel long way, & we are eighteen miles from the nearest stage. but I shall probably go round by Liverpool as being the easiest & cheapest way – & for the sake of staying there a day.

I give you joy of your parliamentary victory. [3]  – if the new ministers want to do a popular thing let them take off the tax on coarse teas. none is to be procured here under 6/-8. a pound – & this affects the only comfort of the poor. They were cheaper before the Commutation. [4] 

God bless you

RS.

Notes

* Address: To/ C W Williams Wynn Esqr M. P./ Lincolns Inn/ London
Stamped: KESWICK/ 298
Postmark: FREE/ MAY 4/ 1804
MS: National Library of Wales, MS 4811D. ALS; 2p.
Unpublished. BACK

[1] The Southeys’ second child, Edith May, was born on 30 April 1804. BACK

[2] See Southey to John Rickman, [1] May 1804, Letter 933. BACK

[3] In late April 1804 Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth (1757–1844; DNB), who had been Prime Minister since 1801, was forced from office by a coalition of former enemies William Pitt (1759–1806; DNB), Charles James Fox and Lord Grenville (Wynn’s uncle). BACK

[4] The Commutation Act of 1784 had reduced the tax on tea from 119 per cent to 12.5 per cent. BACK

Addressee

Wynn, Charles Watkin Williams (1775–1850)

People mentioned

Fox, Charles James (1749–1806) (mentioned 1 time)
Grenville, William Wyndham, Baron Grenville (1759–1834) (mentioned 1 time)
Southey, Edith May (1804–1871) (mentioned 1 time)
Rickman, John (1771–1840) (mentioned 1 time)
The Collected Letters of Robert Southey, Part Three
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