Colonel W. Napier to John Murray.

BROMHAM, WILTS,

December 5, 1828.

Dear Sir,

My first volume is now nearly ready for the press, and as I think that in matters of business a plain straightforward course is best, I will at once say what I conceive to be the valuable part of my work, and leave you to make a proposition relative to publication of the single volume, reserving further discussion about the whole until the other volumes shall be in a more forward state.

The volume in question commences with the secret treaty of Fontainebleau concluded in 1809, and ends with the battle of Corunna.  It will have an appendix of original documents, many of which are extremely interesting, and there will also be some plans of the battles.  My authorities have been: 

1.  All the original papers of Sir Hew Dalrymple.

2.  Those of Sir John Moore.

3.  King Joseph’s correspondence taken at the battle of Vittoria, and placed at my disposal by the Duke of Wellington.  Among other papers are several notes and detailed instructions by Napoleon which throw a complete light upon his views and proceedings in the early part of the war.

4.  Notes of conversations held with the Duke of Wellington for the especial purpose of connecting my account of his operations.

5.  Notes of conversation with officers of high rank in the French, English, and Spanish services.

6.  Original journals, and the most unreserved communications with Marshal Soult.

7.  My own notes of affairs in which I have been present.

8.  Journals of regimental officers of talent, and last but not least, copies taken by myself from the original muster rolls of the French army as they were transmitted to the Emperor.

Having thus distributed all my best wares in the bow window, I shall leave you to judge for yourself; and, as the diplomatists say, will be happy to treat upon a suitable basis.  In the meantime,

I remain, your very obedient Servant,

W. NAPIER.

About a fortnight later (December 25, 1827) he again wrote that he would have the pleasure of putting a portion of his work into Mr. Murray’s hands in a few days; but that “it would be disagreeable to him to have it referred to Mr. Southey for an opinion.”  Murray, it should be mentioned, had published Southey’s “History of the War in Spain.”  Some negotiations ensued, in the course of which Mr. Murray offered 500 guineas for the volume.  This proposal, however, was declined by Colonel Napier.