Amongst the letters attributed to Junius, and, in the opinion of Dr.
Good, most certainly his production, is one signed "ATTICUS," under date
of the 19th Aug. 1768, which contains an allusion to the private affairs
of the writer, by no means unimportant. It is as follows:--
"The greatest part of my property having been invested in the
funds, I could not help paying some attention to rumours or
events by which my fortune might be affected: yet I never lay in
wait to take advantage of a sudden fluctuation, much less would
I make myself a bubble to bulls and bears, or a dupe to the
pernicious arts practised in the Alley. I thought a prudent man,
who had any thing to lose, and really meant to do the best for
himself and his family, ought to consider the state of things at
large, of the prospect before him, and the probability of public
events. _A letter which appeared some days ago in the Public
Advertizer_ revived many serious reflections of this sort in my
mind, because it seemed to be written with candour and judgment.
_The effect of those reflections was, that I did not hesitate to
alter the situation of my property._
"I owe my thanks to that writer that I am safely {276} _landed_
from a troubled ocean of fear and anxiety on which I think I
will venture my fortune and my happiness again," &c. &c.
There is no reason to question the truth of these sentiments. The letter
is believed to be the first which appeared signed "ATTICUS," and was
written many months before the author became known as Junius, and before
any necessity had arisen for the exercise of that habitual caution which
he afterwards evinced in the mention of any circumstance at all likely
to lead to his detection. Would it not, therefore, be worth while to
ascertain the date of the letter in the _Public Advertizer_ which
influenced him, and then to search the names of the transferrors of
stock between that time and the 19th August? Many of the contributors to
the "Notes and Queries" have influence sufficient to obtain permission
from the proper authority for such a search. It is observable, that as
the amount _transferred_ formed the _greatest part_ of his property, it
would be somewhat considerable, and might not be sold in the aggregate,
but pass in various sums to several purchasers.
JNO. SUDLOW.
Manchester.
_Junius and Sir G. Jackson._--I find no one has answered my question
about Sir George Jackson (No. 11. p. 172.). I will therefore put
another. I possess an unpublished letter by Junius to Woodfall, which
once belonged to Sir George Jackson. My Query is, "Is it likely he could
have obtained it from Junius, if he was neither Junius himself nor a
party concerned?" The manner in which Burke evades the question as to
himself being the author of _Junius_ makes me think two or three were
concerned in these _Letters_.