3-057-250 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Jane Austen's draft copy of a letter to her publisher, Richard Crosby, 5 April 1809. She wrote to remind him of her manuscript of "Susan". 'Gentlemen. In the Spring of the year 1803 a MS. novel in 2 vol. entitled Susan was sold to you by a Gentleman of the name of Seymour, and the purchase money £10. recd. [received] at the same time. Six years have since passed, & this work of which I avow myself the Authoress, has never to the best of my knowledge, appeared in print, tho an early publication was stipulated for at the time of Sale. I can only account for such an extraordinary circumstance by supposing the MS. by some carelessness to have been lost; & if that was the case, am willing to supply You with another Copy if you are disposed to avail Yourselves of it, & will engage for no farther delay when it comes into your hands. - It will not be in my power from particular circumstances to command this Copy before the Month of August, but then, if you accept my proposal, you may depend on receiving it. Be so good as to send me a Line in answer, as soon as possible, as my stay in this place will not exceed a few days. Should no notice be taken of this Address, I shall feel myself at liberty to secure the publication of my work, by applying elsewhere. I am, Gentlemen &c &c'.