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 answer2 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Unpublished.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