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[Letter of Francis William Newman to Dr. John Chapman] 10 Circus Road NW, Dear Sir, Mr. Tagart is entirely mistaken in speaking of my question to you as "Mr. Newman's claim." As far as I understand, the representations of Mr. Ives lead Mr. Shaen to a certain view of your relation to Mr. Manwaring. Mr. Shaen informs me of this, and asks me to inquire whether you have any documents proving the contrary. This I have done, at his request; not that I have any opinion at all about the matter, which it had not occurred to me to investigate. For any thing that I at present understand, Mr. Shaen cannot securely conclude the transactions between himself (for me) and Mr. Ives (for Mr. Manwaring), unless he knows your true relations with Mr. Manwaring. It is material for him to be disturbed on discovering a different representation on your part from that of Mr. Ives. Mr. Tagart treats of what you "agreed to pay or make good" to me. Nothing has passed between us, as you know, of any formal kind. The question with us, is, what you agreed with Mr. Manwaring, & whether you are willing to satisfy Mr. Shaen on this head. I confess that I supposed you to tell me that you were transferring your business to Mr. Manwaring, not that you were making him your agent. I thought it hard & disagreeable to be thus handed over without any judgment of my own to an unknown publisher; but looked on it as the penalty of having allowed books to be stereotyped & held in half possession. In fact this awakened in me the desire of getting entire possession of the stereotype plates. If this confession of mine is of value to you, Mr. Shaen shall have it. Pray understand that this movement is directed to secure that our settlement is on its legal basis. I will direct Mr. Shaen to return Mr. Tagart's letter to you; but I am sending it to him as your reply. Believe me Sincerely
yours, P.S. I leave home early tomorrow morning for S. D. Darbishire's Esq, Pendyffryn, Conway.
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