Initialled corrected Autograph Copy by George Colman the Younger for his brother-in-law David Morris, of a letter [to S. J. Arnold?], written during Colman's chancery dispute with Morris, his business partner at the Haymarket Theatre, London.

1p., 4to. 31 lines. Fair, on aged paper. On paper with watermarked date of 1814. Initialled 'G. C.'; with the words 'Copy to Morris' in the top left-hand corner. Docketed on reverse 'Copy to Morris March 1815'. Colman writes that is is now his intention, 'as it ever has been, to use every effort in my power for the interest of the Theatre, by carrying on the business in the best manner that the continual obstacles opposed to my plans will permit'. He states that he is 'in treaty with various Performers for the approaching Summer'. This enables him to communicate 'propositions' to the recipient and 'Mr Winston'. The second paragraph reads: 'In adopting this only measure you have left me, according to the Deed of Ownership, I request you to bear in mind that, should I be as much impeded in my endeavours as in the Year 1813, the same causes will produce the same ruinous effects.' Should the recipient and Winston prevent Colman's 'formation of an entire [last word underlined] company of performers [...] the Theatre must once more in spite of all my struggles - to the contrary remain shut for the Summer'. The fourth paragraph concerns the instruments of the stage manager. The Oxford DNB notes that Colman was 'involved in a protracted chancery dispute from 1809 to 1816 with his business partner and brother-in-law David Morris', and that he resided within the King's Bench Rules between 1806 and 1817, at the instigation of 'S. J. Arnold, the son of Dr Samuel Arnold, the well-known composer, from whom Colman had borrowed significant sums'.