ALs to the editor of "The Sun" (William Kent)
Charles Dickens
Item Info
Physical Description: [3] pages + envelope
Transcription:
Private and Confidential.
Devonshire Terrace
Friday Fourteenth December
1849.
Sir.
I depart from the usual course in addressing you thus, and in forwarding to you a Proof I have had privately printed for this purpose only, under special circumstances.
Being advised from America that “Mr. Thomas Powell, a literary gentleman from England”, was about to enter on a course of scurrility and libel there, which he had already begun by publishing a “Life” of myself, in all respects utterly false; and knowing Mr. Powell’s history and the certainty of his proceeding in this course to any extent, unless summarily stopped; I deemed it necessary to expose him. I therefore wrote to a friend in New York that the Mr. Powell in question was “a Forger and a Thief”, and had been confined as a Lunatic besides – and requested him to publish that piece of intelligence.
It appeared, I learn from my friend, in a great many American Newspapers, being copied from one into another; and the Mail which arrived yesterday informs me that there is now much virtuous discussion and threatening of actions for libel, among them, on the subject. With no view whatever to the publication of the facts in this country (which, indeed, I wish to avoid if possible) but simply that, in case any of these numerous references to the matter should meet your eye, you should be possessed of the facts, I take the liberty as between two gentlemen to forward them to you, as I have collected them within a few hours.
I am Sir
Your faithful Servant
Charles Dickens
The Editor of The Sun.
MssDate: Friday Fourteenth December 1849
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:
Formerly housed with four page pamphlet: "Proofs Private and Confidential".
Recipient: Kent, Charles, 1823-1902
Provenance: Gift of William M. Elkins.
Country: Creation Place Note:Devonshire Terrace
Country:England
City/Town/Township:London
Call Number: DL K419 1849-12-14
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author
ALs to the editor of "The Sun" (William Kent)
ALs to the editor of "The Sun" (William Kent) 
ALs to the editior of "The Sun" (William Kent) 
ALs to the editor of "The Sun" (William Kent) 
ALs to the editor of "The Sun" (William Kent)