Memorandum of Agreement between William Creech and Robert Burns,17-23 April 1787

Memorandum of Agreement between M.r
Creech & Mr Burns respecting the
property of Mr Burns's Poems

By advice of friends Mr Burns having
resolved to compose of the property of his poems
and having consulted with M.r Henry McKenzie
Upon the subject Mr Creech met with Mr
Burns at Mr McKenzie’s house upon Tuesday
the 17th April 1787 in the Evening & they three
having retired & conversed upon the subject
Mr Burns & Mr Creech [?] the sum to be
named by M.r McKenzie as being well acquaint
ed with matters of this kind when Mr
McKenzie said he thought Mr Burns should
have a Hundred Guineas for the property of
his poems - Mr Creech said that he agreed
to the proposal but as Scotland was now
amply supplied with the very numerous
Edition now Printed he would write to
Mr Caddell of London to know if he would
take a share of the Book but at any rate
Mr Burns should have the money named
by Mr McKenzie which Mr Burns most
cordially agreed and [page torn]
property upon these terms whenever Mr
Creech required him.
Upon Monday the 23d of April
1787 M.r Creech informed M.r Burns that he
had remained in Town expecting M.r Cadells
Answer for three days - as to his taking a share
of

of the property of the poems but that he
had received no answer yet he would
as formally proposed & agreed to take the
whole upon himself that Mr Burns
might be at no uncertainty in the
matter.
Upon this both parties considered
the transaction as finished.