25 September 1916

Morninggate Asylum, Liverpool

Dear Mr. Hebbley,

I received your touching letter concerning your daughter, Annie, Friday last week. While I am not unsympathetic to your tragic situation, I regret to say that I am unable to cooperate.

The Lunacy Act of 1890 has wrought many changes in the legal constraints governing institutions such as Morninggate. The act has driven facilities to create hitherto unimagined internal policies, designed—in my opinion—to protect the institution against spurious legal claims rather than for the benefit of its patients. At Morninggate, these policies extend to safeguarding our patients’ privacy. It is for this reason that I must respectfully decline to answer. It is a matter, you see, of protecting the privacy of the afflicted, who often suffer greatly due to the general public’s prejudices against those with disorders of the nerves and mind.

Please do not construe this reply as either affirmation or denial of knowledge of your daughter’s presence at Morninggate. As administrator of this institution, I am bound by law.

Your servant,

Nigel Davenport

Physician and Director, Morninggate Asylum

Byshore Mews, Liverpool, England