WCP114

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne

July 26^th, 1906

My dear Will

As the "Will" is so very simple I will try and do the business of Executor without employing a lawyer, & have written to the Registrar of Wills for the District of East Sussex, at Lewes, for the necessary forms &c.

In the mean time will you get together all the documents relating to the property and take charge of them for me till you return.

Nothing is said in the Will about [2] cash in hand or at the bank, or any moneys due. As I am quite ignorant of what arrangements existed as to the business-profits I shall be glad if Flora will tell me whether there is any money available for paying debts funeral expenses &c. and any surplus to increase the sum to be invested. Anyhow it will be necessary for me to have a statement showing the balance Mr. Mitten died possessed of, in order to make up the statement for Probate duty. [3] It will also be necessary to have a valuation of the lauded property, & separately of the furniture, and I rather think this valuation must be made by some independent valuer, but I shall probably learn that by the forms for proving the Will.

I rather think too that the estimated value of Townfield Cottage reversion, must be included in the Schedule of property on which duty will be charged.

Your affectionate father | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

[4] P.S. As the collection of mosses &c. will perhaps be purchased by Kew, will you and Flora look over them all, and count roughly the number of sheets of specimens.

Also make a list of all the books relating to mosses or to botany which are of in general interest but which they would like to be sold to increase the sum to be invested.

A.R.W [signature]