4 Fitzroy Square ^<1>
Feb^y 25

Dear Sir

My solicitor received from yours this morning a new proposition, ^<2> and though I gave instructions to M^r Dean ^<3> as to his reply, yet under the peculiar circumstances which in which I am now placed I cannot refrain from addressing a few lines to yourself in person.

With regard to the proposition itself I can only say that were it not open to many objections, it is now too late an hour for me to consider any new proposition.

It is now nearly two weeks since in accordance with your request I had a deed drawn up on the basis of your original proposal so long discussed. While I had been anxiously awaiting a settlement upon that basis, I have received nothing from your solicitor but new propositions; although I assured him at our first meeting that I would have no time to consider them.

As it is evident, dear Sir, from you anxiety to affect a new arrangement that the terms of the old one are unsatisfactory to you, I would assure you that it is far from my desire to hold you bound by any thing that has passed. It is utterly impossible for me to entertain any new proposal, and if the terms of the old one are objectionable, I would freely release you from all obligation to ratify them. At the same time I take the opportunity to renew the assurance that the instructions I have received at Reading ^<4> shall be entirely sacred and not used except under you entire approbation.

In making this proposal of release, I do not do it, sir, as a mere matter of courtesy, but from the anxiety in which I am involved by the melancholy intelligence I have received from the United States, and the necessity, as my partner writes, of my immediate return, it would be far more consonant with my own feelings to leave the matter in the hands of M^r Haight. ^<5>

That gentleman is an ardent admirer of your invention and it was at his suggestion that I came out to Europe for the purpose of introducing it into the United States. Being a gentleman of ample fortune he would be far more independent of small pecuniary considerations than I could be, while his love of science would prompt him to a liberal arrangement.

M^r H. will undoubtedly soon be at Paris, if not already there. Should the plan meet your views I will write to him immediately to call on you in London, informing you in advance as to when he may be expected. With him you can make such arrangements as you may deem most suitable without being fettered by any previous offers.

Trusting that this method will prove most consonant with the feelings and interest of all parties, I remain, dear Sir

With Sincere respect Your Ob^t Serv^t
E. Anthony

H. Fox Talbot Esq.

P. S. I am anxious to leave London in the beginning of the week, please therefore have the kindness to write me immediately

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Notes:

1. London.

2. On the purchase of an American patent for the calotype process.

3. Of Dean, Leeks and James Henry Dixon, solicitors, at 13 St. Swithin’s Lane.

4. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), born in Holland and trained in Paris, was WHFT’s valet who emerged as his assistant in photography. Henneman set up his Calotype works at 8 Russell Terrace, Reading. Commencing operations at the start of 1844, it functioned both as a photographic studio and as a photographic printing works and continued through late 1846, at which time Henneman transferred his operations to London. Although Talbot supported Henneman through custom, such as printing the plates for The Pencil of Nature, and loans, it was always Henneman's operation. His business cards made no mention of "The Reading Establishment," the designation that it is popularly given today; the only contemporary use of that title seemed to be by Benjamin Cowderoy - see Doc. No: 05690.

5. Richard Kip Haight (1798-1862), American merchant, poet & traveller.