To Josiah Wedgwood III   1 December [1850]

Dear Jos.

Thanks for money placed to Robarts.

Will you read M^r Salts letters

No I. To this I answered that Emma’s money had all long ago been invested, but that I had no sort of objection to Railway shares to the amount of ^£5000 being transferred to me; if the advantage was equal to expence of transference.¹

To my letter, then comes No^r 2. which please read: I hope to Heaven that M^r. Salt is mistaken; it w^d. be a very serious loss to have to sell all Emma’s Railway & Canal Shares. As you will have to see M^r. Salt, I thought it better to advertise you beforehand.— Please either keep for your own use, or return to me M^r. Salt’s letters. I believe expence of transference (When shares not sold), of Railway shares is small, & in that case it w^d. certainly be better if Leeds & Bradford, & Monmouth Canal were transferred to me: it w^d, moreover, save you Trustee’s trouble.—

As you will be away from Home for a month & as perhaps I might sell Leeds & Bradford (if transferred to me) w^d. you kindly take them with you & leave them under charge of Eras., as your Co-trustee.—

Yours affect | C. Darwin

In case M^r. Salt is right in his view of the Trust, I hope you will consult with him, whether there is anyway of avoiding our being compelled to sell out all our Railway shares.