16 Aug 1785: Edward James Eliot to Edward, 1st Lord Eliot

My Hon[oure]d Lord
I ought to make an Excuse for making any other answer to your kind message than that of immediately setting out for Cornwall. I Believe I should have done so (and with a very perfect acquiescence on the part of Lady Harriot who I can not Repeat it too often or too strongly has on every occasion been ready to do every thing possible for her to Do, that she could think I wish'd) But that it Does seem I confess very Desireable to me; and I understand you are in some measure of the same Opinion, that I should be at the Liskeard [Ed J Eliot was MP] Mayor Choosing and there is not time for both as my preposed Journey at present would probably make it too late to take such another before the 27th of October. You will not I am certain Impart this to the least backwardness in me to pay my Duty to you; If you have any Choice about seeing me before rather than after our Union it is certainly not material enough to me to make me wish to wait for a second Invitation when I am so happy at the first.

I am my Hon[oure]d Lord
your very Dutiful
and ever affectionate Son,
Ed J Eliot
Tuesday, August 16th 1785

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