Documents associated with: law
Record 280 of 280
System Number: 00105
Date: [April / May 1902][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Clifford Addams[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler A104
Document Type: ALS[3]
74. Cheyne Walk - Chelsea
London
Dear Mr Addams -
Of course it is pleasanter, and better to paint the Spaniard than to go to law with the yankee!
Moreover you have had the best advice possible - on the one hand from Mr Vielé-Griffin[4], who agrees with me [p. 2] in thinking that the man of the postcard[5] cannot be dealt with in any other way than through the law - and from Maitre Olivier[6], I suppose, on the other -
It does seem a wild business that you should be forced to make a pilgrimage to Calais in order to punish this ridiculous person! I cannot understand it! Does not Mr Olivier see his way [p. 3] to manage this for you through the Paris officials? -
Can he not, himself write the man a threatening letter demanding, & dictating, immediate apology - or simpler I should think really at once serve him with a writ for defamation! I gather from what Griffin says in his letter to me[7], that he thinks the man might be made to pay dearly for his miserable conduct -
I suppose, by the way, you read my letter[8] to Griffin? - However, I fear this time that I am too far away to give [p. 4] further advice - & if it is thought that the matter may with safety be dropped, surely it will be all the better -
Only I should like the man not to feel that he may with impunity go on again -
With kindest regards to Madame Inez & Mademoiselle Dianne[9],
Very sincerely
J McNeill Whistler
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [April / May 1902]
Dated from the address and a related letter, #00104.
2. Clifford Addams
Clifford Isaac Addams (1876-1942), etcher [more].
3. ALS
Written on narrow bordered mourning paper.
4. Mr Vielé-Griffin
Francis Vielé-Griffin (1863/1864-1937), poet [more].
5. postcard
Unidentified; see the reference in #00104.
6. Maitre Olivier
Etienne Olivier, clerk to Antoine Ratier [more].
7. letter to me
Untraced.
8. my letter
JW may mean his earlier letter on this subject, #00104.
9. Dianne
Inez Eleanor Addams (fl. 1898-1927), née Bate, painter [more], and Dianne Addams (b. 1901), daughter of Clifford and Inez Addams [more].