Letter – Diana Beaumont to Mark Skelton – 21 Mar 1794

								Portman Square   March 21st



Dear Sir,

      I have defer’d answering your Letter till I should receive a Copy of Mr. Lloyds Opinion from Mr. Cockshutts Solicitor (Mr. Owen) which I have this Morng. done. Mr. Cockshutt is certainly right to Act on safe grounds, & as appears by the enclosed Opinion of Mr. Lloyd it was highly necessary he should inform himself of the consequences &c &c for it would have been extremely unpleasant for him to be censured & punished by the Court for not properly discharging the Trust imposed by my Fathers Will; I have dreaded having anything to do with a Lawsuit since that foolish affair all had with Lady Mexbro’, yet I think it is advisable to take the best Opinions & throw away a few pounds to save Many. Who may be lost without taking proper Advice. Mr. Beaumont & myself never had an Idea of instituting any suit concerning Mr. & Mrs. Stacpoole, for it can only be done by her Trustees, Mr.Beaumont never Named to me the request that he should only employ Mr. Wilson (the Agent) who I did not know was concerned in Makg. Mrs. Stacpoole a Ward of Chancery, as Mr. Wilson of Bartlets Buildings (who Mr. Beaumont introduced to me as a very clever sensible Man in his profession) informed me Mr. Cockshutts Solicitor was employed in the Business; Mr. Wilson of Bartlets Buildings was with Mr. Beaumont the Morng. he set off for Yorkshire & we conversed with him on the Subject which was the reason I employ[e]d him in Stating the case.

      My little Boy is quite well & desires his Complts. – he is the Master of the Family & is as Mischievous as a Monkey – 

      I am Dear Sir Your sincere Hble Sert

      Diana Beaumont