Serjeants Inn Fleet Street
10 Decr 1832
Dear Sir,
I have this morning recd from Mr Simpson 1 the Drafts of the proposed Settlemts upon which there are some points that I wish to consult you.
The Ladys 2 friends think that she shod be provided with an immediate Sum in case of her surviving You for her support & I do not consider it unreasonable that it shd be – but I consider the Sum they name to be unreasonable – £300 they fix – In that case as the portion will be payable quarterly if you happen to die the day before the quarterly day for payment she wod within 3 months & one day after your death be intitled to two quarters being £300 more – Now I say the sum shod be £150 & not £300 – in that case she might have £450 in 3 months & one day after your death. Surely the £150 is quite sufficient & to that effect I have written to Mr Simpson – If the 300l be peremptorily insisted upon I suppose I must Yield tho’ I cannot change my opinion that it is not a reasonable demand.
Lady Elizth 3 tells me that you wish to have a power to prefer a younger to an elder Son & to give to the former in preference to the latter the settled Estates & I will endeavour that a provision to that effect shall be inserted in the Settlement
Mr Simpson proposes as a Security for the Ladys 6000l an Estate of Mr Mundys now let at £220 a year, subject to all usual Deductions; the Interest to be no more than £4 PCt & Mr Mundy to have the power to prevent the Money being called in during his Lifetime – To the latter there may be no reasonable objection – but the Security is in my opinion inadequate & the rate of Interest too low. I think you shod have 4½ PCt & I have written to that effect to Mr Simpson but they are it appears to me determined in every respect to have their own way & I suppose this must be conceded because I must not I presume mix you up with such mercenary matters. I have however written very strongly & explicitly to Mr Simpson on these matters but I must not I know on your account stand out. And tho’ the Estate is insufficient from the Rents to pay the Interest of the 6000l even at 4 PCt yet as Mr Mundy will be personally liable to the paymt of the Interest & his Estate after his death to that of the Principal these points I suppose I must likewise yield.
It is as much as we shall do to get the4 Settlemt ready by the 20th
I hope to have an Ansr on Wednesday under your Frank.
& am Dr Sir Yours Truly
W R King
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
n Chippenham
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