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[Letter of Francis William Newman to Dr. J. Chapman] 10 Circus Road, Dear Sir, My reply to your former letter concerning the projected Publishing Association was written on the spur of the moment, & in a warm desire to accede to any thing that would be to your pecuniary benefit. I afterwards had misgivings, in reflecting over one expression in your letter, lest your use of my name might suggest to any of my friends that I am likely to take an active part in the projected association. Of course, while I live in London, I am unable to say that no circumstances might lead to this: but as I have no experience of trade, I see no likelihood of it; and if I leave London, (as I may,) it would of course be out of the question. The success of such a partnership must, I think, eminently depend on its having at least a few shareholders deeply concerned in it financially, & able to devote time to superintend it. No partnership formed by the present law seems to me likely to flourish without these conditions, & peculiarly more in a business which demands so much practical good judgment as that of a publisher or book merchant.—I think the persons who give their names to create such a partnership ought to be likely to give their money & time largely to it; and I should not like to assume this position. I must therefore decline to give my name. I also have already expressed my opinion that it is essential for the success of the firm that it be disabled from publishing new works at its own risk. After exchanging thoughts with friends on this subject, I am confirmed in this view. Your allusion to Mr. Heywood makes me think it possible that he is counting on my transmitting a message to you on this subject. He said, that it is absurd to begin such an undertaking without having it thoroughly investigated by men of business from a pure business point of view: else it is certain to be all money thrown away: that this is a complicated & difficult affair, needing time: & if he is to be hurried about it, he must altogether decline being implicated in it. He begged me to say this to you—(it was on Saturday of last week, October 29th)—but I replied that it was very uncertain when I might have the opportunity; and intended this as, on my part, a declining to accept the office of making the communication to you: but I now seem rather disposed to think he did not so understand it. Believe me Sincerely yours,
P.S. I am getting on with the article on the Ethics of War. I imagine it may run from 20 to 24 pages.
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