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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow 329.: ricardo to mill2[Reply to 325.—Answered by 332 & 337] - The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 8 Letters 1819-June 1821

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329.: ricardo to mill2[Reply to 325.—Answered by 332 & 337] - David Ricardo, The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 8 Letters 1819-June 1821 [1819]

Edition used:

The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, ed. Piero Sraffa with the Collaboration of M.H. Dobb (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2005). Vol. 8 Letters 1819-1821.

Part of: The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, 11 vols (Sraffa ed.)

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


329.

ricardo to mill2
[Reply to 325.—Answered by 332 & 337]

My dear Sir

As I before told you I am anxious that a wrong estimation of my talents, both by you, and Mr. Napier, may not expose the latter to the inconvenience and delay of not getting the article on the Sinking Fund done in time for the regular period of the publication of his volume, and therefore I have lately been hard at work that you might very soon be enabled to decide on the truth of my representation, that I was unequal to the task you required of me. I now send you the fruits of my work, of which I request you to dispose as you think best for my honour and reputation. If you think that with such few alterations and additions as I am capable of giving to it, it may do, return it to me with such suggestions as may offer themselves to you, and with such corrections of language as you may think it requires. If you think, which is my feeling about it, that it contains some hints which may be useful to a better, and more expert writer, send it to Mr. Napier, and let him ask some other person to perform the work, giving him the privelege to avail himself of my hints if he thinks proper. Perhaps after all the best way of disposing of it is to put it in the fire, for it is a thing of shreds and patches, culled from one person’s writing, and another persons speech, and is withal in a stile so barbarous that you cannot do better than so to dispose of it.—To complete the article tables are wanted and on this point I am not acquainted with Mr. Napier’s wishes. The parliamentary papers would afford me the means of giving copious tables respecting the increase of debt—the growth of the Sinking Fund—the public expenditure—the amount of taxes &ca. &ca.. There might be 4 or 5 and as Hamilton has performed this as well as almost every other part of the work, would it be fair to copy his tables?—I send the MS by this days coach to Brook Street, with directions to my servant there, to take it to you to Queen Square, and if you are not residing there, to forward it to you at the India House.

In looking over my work last night, I perceive that what I have said in page 15 is nearly a repetition of what I had before said in the latter end of page 11. Does the repetition tend to clearness, or should one of the passages be left out?—

It was very kind of Mr. Place to send me the books and Parliamentary papers which he has sent. He selected the latter with great skill, they are full of information. Say so to him when you see him. Perhaps he would not object looking over the MS I send you, and giving me his opinion of it. I do not think that he and I quite agree in our opinions about the Sinking Fund.—

With the parcel I send you the letter to Mr. Pitt said to be written by Sir James, then Mr. Mackintosh. Take care of it for I have borrowed it of Mr. Smith, and have his permission to send it to you.—The passage which I read to Whishaw, and the rest of my adversaries on reform, at Smiths, is that where he supposes Pitt the minister of Titus,—it came very apropos for my cause.—

I hope that you and your family are well. We are all well here still enjoying the fine weather. I expect Grenfell the latter end of this or beginning of next week.

Ever Yrs.

David Ricardo

[2 ]Addressed: ‘James Mill Esqr / East India House / London’.

MS in Mill-Ricardo papers.