Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-02
FORElGN
Particulars of tie Destruction Of Lord By,vn's
.fIdnuScriDts of his Life.


Particulars 81 tie Destruction Of Lord By,vn,s
Manuscripts Of his Life.
The following circumstances have been COM
munlcated To us by 4 person whose opportunity
OF Knowing them cannot he questioned; and
ON whom, we believe, we may place perfect de-
pendencc, as far as it relates to the truth of his
statement. We have deducted from it much
III nj VIC fancied might have been exaggerated;
and we have altogether omitted several circum-
stances that we thought it would be impolitic
and illibcral to lay before the public. we re-
peat, that our authority is the very best.
About the middle of the yearlG2l, MIR. Moore
received from Lord Byron the manuscript of his
Tile. 1t was written on detached sheets of paper
and was evidently not a second copy. Il con-
tanned his Lordship's remarks on his conduct
and feelings, from the earliest period of his re-
collection, down to the year 1916 and explain
ed many oi those circumstances on which the
public had most speculated. 1t is we'll known,
and dciicacy need not withhold an aliusiou TO
the fact, that Mr.. Moore was, when he rccciy-
cd II, In considerable pecuniary difficulties. and
that the motive of the gift was 10 enable him TO
return to the country from which he was an un-
willing exile. MIR. Moore first offered il To
hieSsfs. Longman, who declined purchasing il
on any terms. Mr.. Murray bought the manu-.
scripts for the sum of 900 guIneas /: and his
friends say, that his chief reason for SO doing.
was to second the views of the noble Lord. on
behalf ut the cXiici poet. There is some ground
III: this assertion, when we recollect that Lord
Byron was likely to outliye Mr.. Murray many
years, and that the work could only be of use
TO the heirs OF the latter gentleman. 1t will bc
remembered that the publication was prohibited
until three months after Lord Byron's death.
1t was III November, 1921, that MIR. Moore
received the money. About twelve months at
forwards MIR. Moore called On Mr.. Murray. and
stated TO hun that the production in question
contained much that would be equally prcju-
dicial to the character of the noble Lord, and to
his own, anu applied an expression to the work
which we dcCline quoting. He therefore re-
quested MIR. Murray to empower INN by a bond.
to make such alterations as he might deem me-
cessary, and to be appointed the editor Whence
yer the work should be published. To this MIR.
Murray agreed, but demanded from Mr.. Moore
a bond for the .E20O0, to secure him the money
he had paid for the work, in case MIR. Moore
should 50 alter 1T, as to render it improbable
speculation. MIR. Moore agreed to the propo-
sition; the bonds were given and thus the case
stood until February 1924, when Mr.. Moore
brought the assignment of the work, which
had not been previously delivered. MIR. Muir
ray then stated to Mr.. Moore that hc was dis
satisfied at tins power he had given of altering
the work according to the IDEAS of the latter,
and that he wished either to get back the bond
which empowered him SD 10 do, or to cancel the
o"N " uSfAN cE He Work On
receiving the $1,000; alIcdging rs his reason.
" he did not wish to be the keeper of Lord By
ron's honour. MIR. Moore SAID that he wonld
choose the latter alternative, and promised to
call IN 4 v week with the money, to receive back
the work. This Mr.. Moore deferred; at any
rae, tins he did not do. On the 1l;h of Ma.
the news OF Lord Byron's death arrived, and On,
the evening oftIat day Mr.. Moore called OIL
MIR. Murray, whom, however, he did not see.
The next day Nh. Murray went to Mr.. Horton.
the TREND OF Lady Byron, and stated to him all
me CIRCUMSTANCES connected with the affair
air. Nilnlot Horton was satisfied 10 rcfInu
Mr.. Murray the sum advanced, and to have the
work dcstroyed.-SubscGucntly the parties mel
at the house of Mr.. IIobhouse, where Col.
Doyie appeared as the friend of the hon.
Mrs. Lee, Lord Byron's sister, and it was a.
greed to destroy the work. MIR. Moore o6biec.
ted TO the right Which MIR. Murray elaine
over 1t, and asserted that it was his propertv.
ir. Murray denied this claim, on the ground
That the bond given by him to Mr.. Moore ONLY
allowed him to Withdraw the work. and TO re.
turn the money, any time before Lord Byron,s
death, bat that after such an event, it was to be
exclusively Mr.. Murray's property. The day
alter, the parties met together at MIR. Murravjs
housc,-viz. Mr. w. Horton, MIR. fIobhouse
Col. Doyle, Mr.. Moore, Mr.. Luttrell, and MIR.
murray the latter then declared that he had
no claim on MIR. Moore for the sum paid that
gentleman, while Mr.. Moore persisted in his
right TO the work. 1t is asserted that Mr.
Moore did not mean to have il destroyed,-but
tins we do not for a moment believe. BE il as
III may, the production was torn and burnt in
the room of Mr.. Murray and burnt as our in
dormant states, without the consent of Mr..
Moore. The circumstance has since been the
topic OF much conversation in the higher cir
cies, and each Ofthe parties has been couside-
raoiy blamed by the friends of the other.
Although we have stated these facts. and a.
gam repeat that we have them from the best
authority we do not wish 10 comment on them
W. THINK II, however, our duty, to mention,
mat the gentlemen alluded to OK expressed in the
highest terms their sense ofMr. Murray's con-
duct, as a gentleman and a man of honour.
L MS much IS certain, that, If Mr.. Murray had
chosen 10 publish the work, he would have
hiaac a fortune by 1T; and that, in sacrificing his
interest to his principles, he has acted as few
trahe'Inen would have done.-We are certain
that Mr.. Murray received for the work no more
than he had paid for it-LAeruyy ODsergcr.
Nn,emberg, Juay 2S.-By letters from fine
coast of Italy, OF the 30th of April, we learn
that notice has been given in the ports of the
Lefant, that the Russian vessels winch arrive
therc are under the special projection Of tic
forte, AMI that every assistance is to be afford
tliein. As there are not yet any Russian
Consuls IN these ports, the Russian subjects WIN
arrive there will have TO apply TO the Austrian
Ut french Consuls to obtain the necessary sio-
natures and certificates. The Instructions g-
ven on this subject make no mention OF Inc
Consuls. All this has been arranged at
Oonstantlnopie, between the Austrian lgter-
.luBcio, NJ. Mlnziacky, aud the French (Jrarrc
The appointment of some pr.
Consuis and Vice onsaIs in the TURKISH nort"
) deferred fJr the Dr, sent. If e