Letter – James Lee to John Erasmus Blackett – 17 Dec 1793

      London 17th Dec. 1793

Dear Sir

      I take the liberty of addressing myself to you as one of the Trustees under the Will of Sir Thomas Blackett upon a subject most interesting to myself and Miss Wentworth As you may most probably have heard of our mutual attachment, I flatter myself you will be neither surprized nor displeased by our application for your consent to our union which by the Will you know is necessary. That my pretensions in point of fortune are not adequate, I must admit, but as Sir Thomas in his life time, was pleased to approve of the marriage of her Sister with my Brother, I trust you as delegated by him will not feel it your duty to make that an objection which was none to him. In other respects I trust my Character and Connections will bear the strictest scrutiny. Let me hope ther[efore] you will not withold your consent to our Union upon which our mutual happiness in life depends.

      With respect to Miss Wentworth’s fortune, I wish to have it settled in any way our friends shall think proper. Miss Wentworth authorizes me to say that your favourable answer, will confer an everlasting obligation upon her as well as upon Sir

      Your most obed[ien]t Serv[an]t

      James Lee



P.S. I shall leave Town on Saturday next, and shall be obliged by the favour of your Answer directed to me at Leeds.



[on verso:]

John Erasmus Blackett Esq. / Newcastle upon Tyne / North

[annotated in JEB’s hand:] Mr James Lee’s letter of 17 Dec 1793 & a <losty> of JEB’s answer thereto of 20th Decr 1793