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Buckingham Palace. - The Queen will be 'very grateful' if Lord Surrey continues 'to procure flowers for her Rooms and Bouquets, as [he has] so kindly done, till now'.

A series of free frank covers, 1834-1840, largely to members of the Howard Gibbon family. Most bear the signature of the 12th Duke of Norfolk, his son the Earl of Surrey [later 13th Duke], and grandson Lord Fitzalan [later 14th Duke], though there are also signatures of Thomas Greene and Abel Rous Dottin. Matthew Charles Howard Gibbon, Edward Howard Gibbon, and Mary Eliza Howard Burt, née Gibbon, were the illegitimate children of Charles, 11th Duke of Norfolk, recognised and assisted by the ducal family.

As well as the free frank covers, there is also an envelope addressed to Rev. Edward Howard Gibbon, [1850s?], with the signature 'Beauchamp' on the bottom left, a part letter from Sir Robert Buxton of Shadwell Court, Thetford, presenting compliments to 'Mr Gibbon', 22 Jan. [no year], and the end of a letter from John Thomas Pelham, Bishop of Norwich, to E. H. Gibbon [1857 or later].

Covent Garden. - Sets out sums required for the rebuilding of the Whittington Club after it has been destroyed by fire, and a timetable for this.

25 Gresham Street, London - As instructed by Mr [John Joseph?] Mechi, has surveyed the site of the 'late Club House recently destroyed by fire' and has carefully read through the lease by which the premises are held. Dimensions and rents paid given. The premises are held from the Duke of Norfolk, with 27 years remaining on the lease. Gives account of the extent of the fire damage; what he believes the Trustees are entitled to from the Lessor, and what course he believes they should take now: 'it will be more advantageous to the Trustees, to dispose of the Lease, than to retain it....'. Gives valuation of the lease, and also what it would be worth the Duke of Norfolk 'to have it surrendered to him'

Circus Road, St John's Wood. - Has written to Mr Novello; their course seems 'very plain, namely to receive the money from the Fire Office, and discharge the rent etc, at the smae time requesting the Duke of Norfolk - other available parties being anxious for the lease - to relieve us of it'. Writes as he cannot attend on Wednesday morning, his engagement being 'imperative', as he informed Mr Brace before; would undoubtedly have come had the meeting been in the afternoon.

Whittington Club & Metropolitan Athenaeum, Arundel Street, Strand. - Encloses a copy of the Duke of Norfolk's reply to the Memorial of the President and Committee of the Whittington Club; hopes Milnes will let the Committee have his opinion on it. The Dukes letter is 'evidently written after consultation with his lawyers'; obviously two distinct things, damages for departing from the original structure, and the remission of rent on the ground of the 'gratuitous outlay by the Lessee', have been 'confounded together'. The Committee think it their duty to justify the presentation of the Memorial, but think it proper to send Milnes a copy of the letter before addressing the Duke.

With enclosure, copy of letter from the Duke of Norfolk to J. J. Mechi, dated 12 Jun. 1858, Norfolk House. - Would have been pleased to see any of the gentlemen who have signed the Memorial of the Whittington Club had he thought it 'contained a reasonable request'. Has to remind Mechi that 'before any building was erected an offer was made by his father to give £1000 and forego all claim for arrears if the Club would relinquish the Lease; the Trustees would have gladly accepted the offer but the Committee 'interfered' and prevented them from doing so. The 'claim amounting to £4000 was referred to Mr Pownall and adjudicated upon by him'; notes that 'a considerable portion of the rent now owing will be swallowed up by the legal expenses incident to it'; does not think therefore that he should be called upon to 'make a subscription towards an Institution which however useful it may be is not in my opinion as useful as many to which I am compelled to refuse subscriptions'; means no disrespect but does not think in the circumstances he should have been asked to subscribe.

Kingston House, Kegworth. - Has added the boy's name to examination list for shipwrights at Portsmouth; Milnes' scheme 'too clever for Rome in its present state'; the Duke of Norfolk has hit the real point about Rome.

Arundel Castle. - Has 'gone carefully into the question of the Whittington Club'; and concluded 'without difficulty' that the agents for his father and now for himself 'have only done their duty towards their employer & the estate'; is very sorry that the Club should be put to any inconvenience; much regrets that he cannot meet Milnes' wishes, but does 'not intent to interfere at this last stage in the case'.