Colonel Bruce writes that Dr. Becker seems to have misunderstood his letter (see VIC/ADDA10/85/275), for it was not his idea to employ Mr Freeborn. He encloses letters from Lake Price (see VIC/ADDA10/85/280-282) showing that he had sought Freeborn's help before contacting Colonel Bruce, and had declined Bruce's offer of assistance in applying to owners of private galleries [for permission to photograph their pictures].

Bruce is sorry Becker did not warn him of Lake Price's 'forwardness'. He affirms that Lake Price asked him to include other pictures [i.e. commissioned by people other than the Prince Consort] in his application to the [Pontifical] Government, but he refused to do so. He will now contact the owners of the galleries and try to arrange matters satisfactorily with them. He asks Becker to tell the Prince what he has said, as he would not wish HRH to have any doubts as to his conduct in the matter.

Related Material: For related correspondence, see VIC/ADDA10/85/275, VIC/ADDA10/85/280 and VIC/ADDA10/85/282.