TALBOT6522

[draft]

L^d G.

Nov. 25 / 51

I am m^ch oblg^d f your [illegible deletion] lett^r of yest^y & will have the honor of call^g on you after your retⁿ to Town. But in the meanwhile I am afraid that the Ex^ve Com^tee will send the pictures out of the country into France or Italy, w^ch they are preparing to do in 2 or 3 days – I need not ^say say how much ^that such a step w^d be likely to complicate the affair might produce irremediable mischief _^^{or at any rate fractious legal proceedings} & for that reason I w^d request your L^dship to desire that no further steps sh^d be taken in y^e matter until your return to Town.

I know not what authority the Royal Comsⁿ have delegated to the Ex^ve Com^tee but whatever it be, I have no doubt that they w^d promptly attend to any expr^ssn of your wishes

[expanded version:]

Lord Granville

November 25, 1851

I am much obliged for your [illegible deletion] letter of yesterday ¹ & will have the honor of calling on you after your return to Town. But in the meanwhile I am afraid that the Executive Committee ² will send the pictures out of the country into France or Italy, which they are preparing to do in 2 or 3 days – I need not say say how much that such a step would be likely to complicate the affair might produce irremediable mischief or at any rate fractious legal proceedings & for that reason I w^d request your Lordship to desire that no further steps should be taken in the matter until your return to Town.

I know not what authority the Royal Commissioners have delegated to the Executive Committee but whatever it be, I have no doubt that they would promptly attend to any expression of your wishes