Letter – Diana Beaumont to Mrs Wentworth – 17 Dec 1825

						Portman Square  Decr. 17	1825



My dear Mrs. Wentworth

      From our very long acquaintance & friendly intimacy I cannot allow another day to pass without assuring you how truly I feel the distress that Mr. Wentworth & you must now experience: On my arrival in London on Saturday evening I received the alarming account, & soon after a gentleman from a banking house in the city arrived to give me further particulars which gave me very great concern, I sent off directly for my agent, who knew what I had done with the bank of England to assist Col. Reed’s bank, & I would not have hesitated one moment doing the same for Mr. Wentworth if it could have been done with safety. I wrote to Mr. Fawkes to assist me in procuring information, to enable me to see what could be done, & I cannot speak too highly of his actions & friendly zeal in the cause, he came to me a second time, & my Agent arrived when we were in consultation, I told him what I was desirous of doing & Mr. Fawkes & I called upon him to say if I could do it with safety, he said the bank of England could not now, do for now, on my guarantee what they did at another time, & the panic in the city was so great & alarming, it was not possible to say who was safe & I might be called upon to assist those to a large amount with whom I had concerns, which must be done, I found the idea was gone abroad that we had a very large sum in the house at Wakefield, & on it being named to me, I gave no denial but said I was confident that I should not be a loser of one shilling – I find my opinion was quoted at one of the clubs & also yesterday on ‘Change & it was then added Ld. Fitzwilliam had guaranteed the Firm, which is believed; & I sincerely hope may be the case, the consternation that prevails here is dreadful.

      I dined yesterday at Mr. Macdonalds & nothing else but city alarms was talked of. I have refused the Duchess of Atholl today, as I was unwilling to be so long absent, when I might be wanted, last night a man on horseback came with a letter from the city after 11 o’ clock – I am afraid I shall not be able to leave London before Tuesday next, & shall arrive at home on Wednesday, I will with pleasure come to you on Thursday if you will give me leave after 2 o’ clock & if Mr. Wentworth thinks my driving up to the Bank on Friday during the Market can be of the slightest use & himself or Mr. <Chalmers/Chaloner> are there to receive me for five minutes, it will be gratifying to me to shew confidence, if it can render any service, I have ordered a large quantity of gold from the Bank to be sent down to pay our work people so that we may not draw anything from our Bankers at this moment, & I gave directions that all our <..mas> bills should be paid a fortnight since as I was fully aware of the Storm that was threatening the commercial world, After the rent days I directed the few arrears there were to be called in & pressed, the reason given that as I was going to town the abstract of the last rental must be laid before me, I sincerely hope confidence will soon be restored in the Country, & all will be well, My kind regards attend Mr. Wentworth yourself & the young ladies – 

      I am my dear Friend

      Truly and Affectionately Yours

      Diana Beaumont