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The following letter from Lord Byron shows that he at all events was
tired of the law's interminable delays ; and, moreover, he was often in
want of money, whilst the defendant went on quietly getting the coals
and out of the profits paying his costs .
Sir,
Genoa, 9bre 18, 1822.
You and I have now been eighteen years at law with various success . I succeeded
in two decisions and you in one . The appeal is now before the House of Lords . Of the
original occasion of this suit I have no great knowledge, since I inherited it and was a
child when it began, and for ought I know may arrive at second childhood before it terminates.
But I write to you to enquire whether an accommodation might not be at least attempted,
and I have not consulted with my lawyers, because they of course would advise the contrary-
as your own very probably-but I despatch my letter through the medium of the
Honourable Douglas Kinnaird, my personal friend-as well as trustee-a man of honour
and business-who will either meet yourself or any friend to discuss the subject . I have
no particular proposition to make, but am willing to adjust the business on what may be
deemed an equitable basis, either by arbitration or a mutual agreement . My motives for
this are simply that I think it would spare anxiety to both sides, and I am neither instigated
by avidity nor necessity . My expenses for the suit are paid up to the present period-so
that if I lose I should be but where I was, whereas if you loose the loss will be considerable,
since the litigated property has been and still is in your present occupation .
I should be willing to part also with the undisputed part of the Rochdale manor, because I wish to
invest the produce of that as well as other monies, and have thought of permanently settling
either in Italy or elsewhere.
Perhaps, therefore, a mode might be found of combining the two, viz ., the adjustment
of our lawsuit and the sale of the remainder of the manor, which might not be to your
disadvantage . I repeat (as a little enquiry will inform you) that I am not actuated by
avidity or necessity, but by the natural wish to terminate a long lawsuit with its uncertainties .
My debts have long been liquidated by the sale of Newstead, and the purchase money settled
and invested, and early in the winter of 1822 I acquired a considerable concession of income by the demise of the mother of Lady Byron .
If you accept this proposal [sic] for the conference, either in person or by proxy,
with the Honourable Mr. Kinnaird or Mr. Crabtree (agent of Sir Francis Burdett and of
me at Kirkby Mallory), acting for him and me, you can write to Mr . Kinnaird in answer
to this, as I am too remote for immediate correspondence, or if not things are but where
they were. In either case I bear you no enmity whatever on account of your long litigation,
which you can hardly regret more than I do .
I have the honour to be yr obed. sent,
To J. Dearden, Esq.
NOEL BYRON.
P.S .-I give you my honour that I have not consulted with my lawyer on this point,
nor made anyone acquainted with the proposition [sic] . I have, however, no objection to
your advising with your own on the subject .'
In a second letter, dated 22nd January, 1823, Byron repeats his
former offer, and adds that if the matter is not settled before the spring
he would come to England and meet Mr . Dearden. In this year [I823]
Lord Byron sold the manor of Rochdale to James Dearden, Esq., whose
grandson, James Griffith Dearden, Esq., is the present owner .
[Manor Records, see Chap . XV.]
Return to James Griffith Dearden
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