Report – John Cradock to Diana Beaumont – 4 Aug 1827

      Grimstone Park, Tadcaster, Aug. 4, 1827.

MY DEAR MADAM

      I had the honour of receiving your letter of the 26th Ult, and deferred answered it until I had seen Mr Horsington.  I lament very much he should have given you any cause for displeasure by indiscretion with a woman.  Saturated as the world is, and with so much of the same sort going on in every direction, amongst the very highest as well as those of an humble class, I cannot bring myself to consider it as an inexpiable offence; but had he done what you suspected that he had - brought and fixed the person in your village , as it may be said, at your very door- I should, as you did, have deemed it a crime and insult not to be pardoned - an act of insanity scarcely to be conceived.   He utterly denies this, and avers in the most solemn manner that the person was then at her mother's house, naturally, as it may be thought, as a place of refuge, without his knowledge in any way.  Whoever took up the story in this shape ought to have had the candour to state whether he ever visited her or not.  It would be great presumption in me, my dear Madam, to advert to the many points whereon you signified your displeasure against Mr H., as they related solely to yourself and his general conduct in the transaction of your business; but there was one circumstance you mentioned that so intimately concerns me, who employ Mr Horsington, that I cannot divest my mind of the serious impression it made upon me; and which I conceived must be substantiated or cleared up for your interest, for mine, and his character, namely - ‘That he had taken money from the tenants upon their leases;’ which can have but one meaning - that he sacrificed your interest to benefit himself.  If such be the case, he is unworthy of all confidence, and would justly forfeit the good opinion of every person.  I have mentioned this supposition to M Horsington, who repeals the notion in the most sacred manner, and dares the whole body of your tenantry to adduce a single proof: as his reputation, and even existence as an agent, depend upon the truth of this denial, I cannot be surprised, and indeed it is my advice to him, to pursue his vindication to the utmost.  I shall only, my dear Madam, take up your time longer, to say, that in my humble concerns I have ever found Mr Horsington faithful, disinterested, capable, and zealous in the most remarkable degree, and that no instance, in the course of fifteen years, have I discovered any fault.   From all the observations that I have been enabled to make, I conceived he pursued the same active honest conduct throughout your extensive trial, and that he was ever devoted to your interest in no common degree; and I chiefly rested such opinion upon his late proceedings in Northumberland, where he evinced an assiduity of judgement worthy of the highest praise, and by indefatigable exertions produced something like order and effect in the payment of bills of the most unprecedented extortion ever known in the annals of election, originating in a recklessness of expence and the most incautious profusion.  Had he not persevered with devoted attention and spirit, in deviance of every obstacle, the absolute loss of many thousands must have been the consequence.  This entirely devoted conduct doubtless made him many enemies, and possibly may have contributed to his present misfortune - your displeasure.

      I have the honour to be, etc, etc.,

      HOWDEN.



To Mrs Beaumont.’