Documents associated with: law
Record 19 of 280
System Number: 11978
Date: 12 February [1878][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: James Anderson Rose[2]
Place: London
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 2/15
Document Type: ALS
'33'[3]
Dear Rose -
Will you kindly write a line to Newman[4] - and say that it is all right about Craft[5] - and that I will pay instalments until debt[6] acquitted [sic] - (This was suggested by Newmans clerk who called the other day.) -
First instalment of ten pounds to be paid next week - -
[p. 2] Do you think that Lawson[7] could come here on Thursday morning any time before 2 o'clock - I have to talk about my difficulties - especially concerning the Landlord[8] - Please send him if possible -
Ever Yours
J A McN. Whistler
Tuesday Feb. 12 -
96. Cheyne Walk.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. 12 February [1878]
Year date from day of week and references to Newman and Craft.
2. James Anderson Rose
James Anderson Rose (1819-1890), solicitor [more].
3. '33'
Written in another hand at top right-hand corner of sheet.
4. Newman
Edmund Newman (b. ca 1829), of Newman and Payne, solicitor [more].
5. Craft
John Craft (d. ca 1878), cheesemonger in Knightsbridge [more], or Elizabeth Mary Susannah Craft, cheesemonger in Knightsbridge, trading as 'John Craft' [more], who was trading as John Craft and brought the lawsuit. Newman was the firm's solicitor in Craft v Whistler (see #12186, 12187, 12192, 12195). A week later JW sent the first installment of £10 to Craft via Rose (#10729).
6. debt
JW was facing mounting financial difficulties: his decorative scheme for Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892), ship-owner and art collector [more] had been a financial disaster and work was still in progress on his studio house, the White House. In addition, the cost of his libel suit against John Ruskin (1819-1900), critic, social reformer and artist [more], the following November would push him into bankruptcy.
7. Lawson
Lawson James McCreary, clerk to the solicitor, J. A. Rose [more].
8. Landlord
Robert Booth Latter (d. 1869), solicitor and landlord of 2 Lindsey Row, later 96 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea [more]. JW's tenancy of the house was due to finish on 25 June 1878 when he was to move into the White House. JW seems to have owed rent (see #10874).