Henry Holland to Lord Holland   1 December 1835

L. Brook Street, Dec 1.

My dear Lord Holland

Mr Faraday has just been with me, in a state of anxiety & distress regarding these circumstances, which inclines me to write to your Lordship myself, though aware that he also is doing so¹.

I believe he told you that I saw Lord Melbourne the day after I had been made aware of, & read, this malicious paper². But as he could not give you all the details, I will mention that I was led to see Lord Melbourne, partly by the desire to tell him of Mr Faraday's distress in the occurrence; still further, from feeling that Lord Melbourne's nobleness and generosity in the transaction (which I had such ample reason to know) required that his wishes should be ascertained on the subject. After consideration, he gave it to me as his opinion that it was better to trust to the refutation of these mis-statements, & the explanation of the truth, to the personal statements of those who were fully cognizant of all the circumstances; and could give testimony distinct & complete on the subject. Concurring if I may venture so to express myself, in this view, I immediately wrote to Mr. Faraday³, & his answer testified most strongly to the same earnest intention, which I myself felt, to seize any possible mode & opportunity of declaring the truth, & especially of bearing testimony to Lord Melbourne's honour & generosity throughout. I know that he has already found occasions of doing this through channels which are likely to spread it speedily further; & on my own part I have sought & found many opportunities of attaining the same object. I doubt not that Mr. Faraday's other friends will make like efforts to attest the truth.

I should very gladly, my dear Lord Holland, have seen you on this subject, but as it is uncertain from my present engagements (some of which carry me every day at present to patients in the City) whether I could be at Holland House for the next day or two, I think it well to write this letter, in more full explanation than perhaps Mr Faraday may give. I advised him to write to you, after what he told me of your conversation with him today; mentioning what Lord M. had said, & asking whether you would be good enough to speak with Lord Melbourne on the subject.

I have now said all that occurs to me, I fear rather lengthily; but I must find excuse in the deep interest I have acquired in the subject.

I beg my best compliments to Lady Holland⁴. Believe me, my dear Lord Holland, with great respect | Your faithful & obliged | H. Holland.