TC-HIC, [14 Nov.]. MS: Bancroft. Pbd: Ryals, Squire 511. Henry I. Carr is unidentified. TC's letter is written on the back of Carr's letter to TC of 12 Nov. from South Market Rd., Gt. Yarmouth. When he had finished with the text TC wrote: “(Shall I send this—or nothing?)” and then, apparently a few hours later, he added: “(Did not send anything: Copy of Third Editn sent to Squire this day 14 Novr).” At the bottom of the letter TC wrote, evidently much later: “A Yarmouth ‘Bloater’ (Blotter) on Squire,” i.e., a resident of Gt. Yarmouth, with the feeble pun of “Blotter” for “Bloater” (smoked herring for which the town was famous).

1. Carr wrote concerning William Squire: “A Letter under your hand addressed to a Mr Wm Squire of this town has just fallen into my hands, which assumes that this gentleman is in possession of a vast load of materials relative to Cromwell. I feel it only right in justice to yourself to say that from undoubted sources I learn and believe the statements as to his being in possession of those materials to be grossly incorrect. / The articles he has already sent you I will say nothing about, nor should I … have troubled you but from public statements which I heard him make I am inclined to think they reflect discredit on your integrity as an historian. / He mentions as a fact that he is personally known to you and that at various interviews he has had with you, you advised him to keep back his ancestor's Journal and such other documents as he pretended to be in possession of. … This material however I am happy to learn from the tenor of your letter is a decided falsehood. / … I do feel indignant at the idea of a half cracked brained fellow endeavouring to delude an author in his honest search for truth into the idea that he is in possession of materials that would form a valuable contribution to his store when in reality he possesses nothing comparatively speaking worthy of notice. / I make these remarks in a sincere feeling of admiration for your character and in confidence feeling assured that you would not descend to the degrading position of a combatant with such an heterogenous person as Wm Squire, and I beg to say that I shall be happy to learn that you are convinced of his shallow pretensions.”

2. William Squire wrote TC, 20 Nov., to thank him for the copy of Cromwell: “Oh my dear Mr Carlyle this is an object of envy. my great treasure. to all who have seen it. / while I live it will be ever in my presence. as does your kindness to me ever in my memory.” This is his last known communication with TC.