1. From George, 1st Lord Lyttleton.
2. From Rev John ‘Orator’ Henley.
5. From George James (‘Gilly’)Williams..
8. From Madame La Marquise de Stainville.
9. From Charles Townshend, n.d..
15. From Mr. Rogers
Selwyn 10: From George Selwyn.
This is one of only two letters in the collection written or signed by Selwyn. This one is to an unnamed correspondent and is dated to 1743.
Notes:
1. Tabby is a kind of silk taffeta, originally striped, later with a watered finish: from French tabis, based on Arabic al-‘Attabiyya, the name of the quarter of Baghdad where tabby was manufactured.
2. L'aune is an old unit of length. measuring four feet, being two thirds of a toise. Three aunes also equals four verges, which equals twelve feet. [Sort that one out!]
The letter reads:
Sir.
I have received a Letter this morning from the Abbé, for whom you have been so kind as to get the Tabby, what he says about it I have to transcribe, to prevent any mistake.
[Translation of the transcribed text in French]
"I do not want to end without speaking to you of the Moire [moiré/tabby]. I understand from your letter that it has been purchased and that there are twelve aunes and a half that you have marked for me. I think that you mean /twelve English yeards [yards] /that makes ten French aunes, tell me what there is because if it is twelve and half French aunes, it would be too much. Since Mr. Chateauneuf is dead ensure that you send back to me via your secretary the letter I gave you for him [M de Chateauneuf] in order that he can give it with the moire to a ship's captain who leaves for Calais then the said captain will deliver the moire and the letter to Madame de Chateauneuf. Do me the pleasure of hastening him and write to him to take great care of the material and to wrap it carefully in oilskin cloth before giving it to the captain of the ship. As soon as the moire has left please write to me immediately and tell me to whom you want me to send the money."
Upon this, I believe the best way will be to send it as soon as possible, when you have found an opportunity to do it, you will be so kind as to let me know & you will much oblige
Yours
G. Selwyn
On recto: George Selwyn Esqr. rec'd 20 Septr. 1743
