Item 71 - Letter from Paul François Hubrecht to Sir George Trevelyan

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Prinsegracht 10, 's Gravenhage:- Thanks Sir George for his recent 'kind lines'. If Elizabeth's marriage [to Robert] takes place here, and so is 'regulated by Dutch law', her children will be 'inevitably the proprietors of half of her capital if she leaves one [child]', two thirds if two, and three quarters if three or more. Dutch civil law' 'forbids disposing of her capital during her life or by will in any other way'; a surviving husband is generally 'appointed by will to be usager for his lifetime' of the remainder of the capital, which remains the property of the children. When Elizabeth's sister married she 'also settled the matter in this way', so it may be supposed Elizabeth will do the same.

Is now studying what needs to be done to make a 'marriage in Holland perfectly legal in England too'; finds the Married Woman's Property's Act of 1884 does 'not in the least object to the settlements' upon which he and Sir George agree; it 'might be judged necessary to repeat the Dutch wedding at the British legation here', but is not sure on this point. They have enough time to get information on this, so does not 'fear any difficulty in clearing it completely' with Sir George's 'own kindest support'. Would be very good to meet, but acknowledges the possibility is 'so far off for the present!'. Asks for his wife, Elizabeth and himself to be remembered 'with kindest regards to Lady Trevelyan'.