1-272-830 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Letter from Thomas Chatterton to William Barrett, 1769. Letter from the poet Thomas Chatterton to William Barrett, surgeon of Bristol, who had remonstrated with him for a letter he had written to Michael Clayfield avowing an intention of suicide. The circumstances under which the letter was written are explained by the following endorsement: Mr Lambert, Chatterton's Master, found a letter on Chatterton's desk to Mr Clayfield telling his wants and distress and that on Clayfield's recieving that, he (Chatterton) should be no more. This letter Mr Lambert sent to Mr Barrett; on which he sent for Chatterton, questioned him on the occasion in a very friendly manner, shewed the horrible crime of suicide and the cursed principle he had adopted, and Chatterton afterwards sent Mr Barrett this letter. From the fourth series of Facsimiles of royal, historical, literary and other autographs in the Department of Manuscripts, British Museum: Series I - V, (London, 1899).