To John Higgins   13 July [1859]¹

My dear Sir

I am sorry to trouble you, but I have had a letter from my Uncle Sir F. Darwin in which he asks me to give his son-in-law M^r. M. Huish the right of shooting over the Beesby Farm.² He says that M^r. H has a share in some adjoining property & that “he ocasionally goes there for the purpose of a few days’ shooting.”—

I cannot remember positively what has passed between us in regard to the shooting. If you yourself or your son³ shoot, as I consider myself under obligation to you, I shall have no scruple in saying that I have given you the shooting. But if you have merely granted it to some one else, if you will put yourself in my position, I think that you will agree that it would be churlish in me refuse the power to my Uncle’s son-in-law.—

I presume on account of injury to tenant that pheasants are not preserved,⁴ & that I should not act unfairly by revoking at this season the right of shooting granted by you to anyone, or by giving a joint right. But be so kind as to put yourself in my position, & tell me how circumstances are, & advise me—

My dear Sir | Yours very sincerely | C. R. Darwin