Add MS 89268

Letter to Thomas Hardy at Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, from John Thelwall, written while delivering radical political addresses under the guise of lectures on classical history, at Norwich. He believes that his letters to Coleridge in response to Coleridge’s invitation to lecture at Bristol have probably been intercepted, and requests assistance in arranging lectures in Sheffield. He believes that lecturing is beneficial to the cause and is ready to go wherever he is welcome.

Transcription:

‘Dear Hardy

I am going this instant to meet some friends to the Cause at Fansett [Forncett] & you must excuse brevity. My lectures here have answered very well. I give but two more. I had an invitation from Coleridge to Lecture at Bristol. I sent two letters requesting information whether he could secure me a room? & whether the friends to the Cause there thought the attempt advisable but can get no ans[we]r. Suppose my letters have been intercepted. Can you write to any friend there & get me a prompt reply. Will you be kind enough also to write upon same subject to Sheffield. I am convinced from the affect produced here that nothing could be more beneficial to the Cause than teaching Classical History all about the Country. I will go therefore to any place where the friends of liberty are prepared to receive me.

Health & fraternity

J. Thelwall

Norwich 24 July 1796.’

MS inscription at head of letter in later hand: ’13 Letters from J. Thelwall to Tho. Hardy. No. 1’.

Direction on verso: ‘T. Hardy, Shoemaker, Tavistock St. Covt. Garden. From J. Thelwall and Fox’.