John Millington to Faraday   3 October 1829

5 Doughty Street Foundling | Saty eveng 3rd Octr. 1829.-

My Dear Sir

I am ashamed that you should have had to remind me by your letter just received, of the 1st part of the Phil Trans for 1827 which you so kindly lent me, and which I ought to have returned long ago. - You may however rely on having it in a day or two, as I am now busily engaged in looking over all my books and other property for disposing of it, as I am sorry to say I shall very shortly have to leave you having accepted the office of Chief Commissioner of the Anglo Mexican Mining Association concerns which will oblige me to reside at Guauaxauto near Mexico, for which place I depart with all my family in about a fortnight.-

This is a very sudden piece of business, for altho it has been talked about for a long time, the papers were only finally signed and completed within the last fortnight, and I had consequently entered into no preparations. - You will therefore easily suppose the state of harrass and confusion I am now thrown into by having thus suddenly to close all my affairs of business, and make the necessary preparations for my voyage and journey on which I must embark in H M Brig Goldfinch on the 21st Inst. at Falmouth.-

It is this alone that has prevented my calling upon you which I have several attempts to do, but have been prevented getting so far. I shall however make a point of seeing you before my departure, not only on account of the high esteem and regard I feel towards yourself but likewise to have a little conversation respecting the Royal Institution to which I have now been so long attached that I feel more repugnance at leaving it than any other concern with which I am connected.- The new employment in which I have embarked however leaves me no alternative but that of tendering the resignation of the Professorship with which I have been so long honored to the Managers which I must do in an official letter to the Secretary, unless you consider that I may still hold it upon leave of absence, as my present Engagement in Mexico is but for 3 years unless I find it answers my purpose much better to remain there then to return to England. On this subject, I wish to consult you, and <<if>> you think it best that I should offer my resignation I assure I shall feel no honor more than by being attached in some way or other to the list of officers of the Royal Institution either as honorary professor or in any other way that may be suggested, and should I return in health I shall look forward with pleasure to resuming my functions with fresh zeal and activity, as I expect to have much more time to apply to my favourite pursuits in my new life than I have had for some years in this country¹. - My wife² and family desire to write with me in kind regards to yourself and Mrs. Faraday and I remain | ever yours very sincerely | John Millington

Address: Michael Faraday Esq | Royal Institution | Albemarle Street