My dear Innes

I have rec^d y^r 2 letters. I quite agree to all you say as most just. Miss Wedgwood is at Tenby & your request about land shall be forwarded today.¹

With respect to Mr Robinson I feel in an awkward predicament for it seems to me rather dishonorable to take any further steps without plainly telling him what I have done & am doing.² On the other hand I do not feel sure, owing to my ignorance of law, whether I may not be exposing myself to an action for defamation of character

I will however call on Mr Allen today & report to you what he says. My impression is that your circular ought to be given to the Church wardens direct from you.³

But my chief object in writing now is to suggest that you should come here at once & see how affairs really stand (if it is in your power); & in that case we sh^d be heartily glad to see you here for as long a time as it w^d suit you to stay.

I thank you cordially for your very kind expressions towards me—

Believe me yours very sincerely | Charles Darwin

P.S I am just returned from Mr Allen’s to whom I shewed y^r circular. Mr Allen knows nothing from his own observations, but rumours certainly are rife against Mr R. The name of the girl is Esther West. Mr Allens cook⁴ saw Mr R. talking to her in the road near the house. He had heard from M^rs Allen that the mother of the girl (who has left M^rs Allen) had written to Mr R. forbidding him to call at her cottage; also that Mr R. had been seen to go into some house in the village where some girl supposed to have a bad character lives. Mr Allen said that he believed this 2^nd story came from M^rs Engleheart, & about the girls mother thro’ Mrs Buckle the wife of the bailiff.⁵ I have told you all this—but it goes for nothing—for Mr A. sent for Mrs Allen, who judging by her manner, knew a good deal, but said she was nervous & w^d not commit herself— accordingly she said she c^d not remember who had told her any one single thing; or the name of the girl in the village; & further that her cook did not want to commit herself & declined to say whether it was in the day light or after dark that M^r R. talked with the girl.— It is pretty clear that the only evidence worth any thing c^d be obtained from the girl’s mother & perhaps she w^d refuse to commit herself—

Under these circumstances I think it best to return you the circular & then you can decide whether to send it direct to the Church wardens for public inspection.—

I am most sincerely sorry for all this vexation & trouble.—