Western Rooms
Launceston<1>
April 5th 1856
To
H: F: Talbot Esqre
Sir/
I must apologise for troubling you, with reference to the decision on the 26th February – in the suit and action between yourself and me <1> – doubtless you have been apprised that I was awarded £150 as damages (to be paid with 14 days from that date, but which I have not yet received) and the Bill to be taxed – As I am given to understand a part of the costs will not be allowed in Taxation, I am certain to be a very considerable loser, with so small an amount of compensation – When these proceedings commenced against me in 1854, I had attained a comfortable position, & good business, – in Regent St – which I was obliged to sell, at a great sacrifise, on account of the injury I sustained both in my business, & my health, through the Injunction obtained against me – And the provincial tour in which I have (solely on this account) ever since, been compelled to be engaged, has proved so unsuccessful that I have already lost £200 by it – I feel assured a gentleman of your standing, would not wish a poor man, like myself to be the sufferer – And therefore trust you will take my case into consideration, & kindly allow me some additional compensation – as I had no wish to infringe your patent – and as the bill was filed against me, without giving me any previous notice, I had no alternative but to defend myself, in the usual course – by which, though an innocent, I have, unfortunately, been, a very severe sufferer in every way –
Trusting you will give this matter your early and favorable attention – I beg to subscribe myself Sir/
Your most obedient Servant
James Henderson
Notes:
1. Cornwall. Henderson had operated various studios in London from 1848-1855, then briefly in Brighton, setting up in Launceston in September 1855.
2. In 1854, WHFT filed a lawsuit against James Henderson, a commercial portrait photographer employing collodion, claiming it was an infringement of his calotype patent of 1841. He got a temporary restraining order, which was put aside until the trial for a prior lawsuit Talbot v. Laroche, could be finished, as it regarded the same subject.