15 Sep 1796: Edward James Eliot to Edward, 1st Lord Eliot

My Hon[oure]d Lord

I approve very much of William's not going to Turkey: The other obstacles and inconveniences might, I believe, have been smooth'd off, but the Distance certainly never could.

Mr [Jonathan Perrie 'Perry'] Coffin [barrister-at-law, brother-in-law of Richard Barwell and recorder of the borough of Tregony in Cornwall] and Mr Clutterbuck set off from Town without fail tomorrow night by the Mail Coach: They seem both well enough satisfied with what Lord Falmouth has said, or rather not said about Mitchell [Cornish borough held jointly at this time by Lord Falmouth and Sir Francis Basset]. Mr Coffin now understands that Mr Barwell is at liberty to look out for a Candidate there, and that it is your wish he should. He (Mr C[offin]) did not appear to me to feel any difficulty or objection to it. I found he was very averse to any Thing like a permanent Connexion with Grampound [Cornish borough held by Edward Eliot] or Mr [Richard] Barwell's past, so that question requires no farther discussion. He does not know, at least does not profess to know, that the Idea came from me. He brought me word that the salt office place is unfortunately not vacant at least. The man being only suspended, and not removed. He also brought word that Sir Francis Basset had thrown out hints of "attacking you in a vulnerable place;" and then asked (which was handsome) whether you wish'd for that reason to withdraw your name altogether from Mitchell. His account of his Conversation with Sir F[rancis Basset] contains some Traits of Character that if he repeats 'em to you, will I think amuse you. [Francis] Glanville tells me this morning that he has heard within these two days in a way that he can depend upon that Sir Christopher [Hawkins, 'the Cornish borough monger'] means to attack Liskeard.

There is no danger, I flatter myself, of any Jumble about St Endellion [parish in northern Cornwall]. I remember yet (having left out the name in my Letter) I added it in a sort of Note; but I should otherwise have put in the Text what was the fact, that That was the Thing promised, and nothing else.

Mr [William] Wilberforce has carried his Slave Question, to my surprise, and I think to his, by a considerable majority. Nevertheless I do not Expect it to get much farther at the present. John [Eliot, Edward James' younger brother] and Mrs [Caroline] Eliot [John's wife] are as well as ever I knew them; Mrs. [Agneta] Yorke [Caroline Eliot's mother] is lately come to Town, she has a Cold and does not look therefore as well as I have seen Her; but does not confine herself at all for it. I hope William's has given way to Physick, or however, to fine weather.

I am my Hon[ore]d Lord
your very Dutiful
and very affectionate Son
Ed J Eliot

Friday February 15th 1796

*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/3/3/6