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[annotated in a different hand:] Archdeacon Scott.
Sydney Nov 30 1826
My Dear Sir
It is with deep concern I have recd. some intelligence of a melancholy nature to Grey's family & perhaps you will have the goodness to break it to him in such a way as you may think proper. The following is an extract from the letter of my brother in law Mr. Ord dated July 1st from Northumberland.
‘I staid at Howick missing the first week of the election and I went daily to Alnwick - after we came away Beaumont and Lambton got to some high words & B gave L the lie - a duel was the consequence, they exchanged shots & happily without injury when the seconds put an end to it but think of poor Lady Louisa hearing that lie given from the window where she sat & knowing what must be the result and being in suspense for 30 hours for they had a difficulty in meeting without the chance of interruption & at last effected it by going to Bamboro wh(ich) is in the Co(ounty) of Durham. Lambton showed great coolness & presence of mind for after B. had given him the lie he (Lambton) made a long speech from the hustings on other matters. Just at the conclusion of all poor Ld Grey was sent for to attend the dangerous illness of one of his son near Leeds, a fine lad of 17. He is since dead of a brain fever.’
This is all that is said on the subject - if Grey would like to write a ship sets sail in ten days & I am sure he may post the letter into the Governor's bag.
Your's very sincerely
T.H. Scott
P.S. Perhaps it may be some alleviation to him the following account of his brother L Howick ‘He did very well in the hustings, was ready, manly, spirited & strait forward & he has gained great credit by it’
GRE/D1/3. Thomas Hobbes Scott (1783-1860) was Anglican archdeacon in Sydney between 1824 and 1829. He returned to England having resigned in some frustration at not having been able to impose Anglican control over education in New South Wales, and spent the rest of his life as rector of Whitfield. Recipient unknown, but the letter is in the papers of General Charles Grey, amongst correspondence with his brother Frederick Grey in Therapia/Istanbul. Both were sons of Lord Grey, and brothers of the younger brother mentioned in the letter as having died.
