P.T.began by writing to Curll in 1733, and offering to sell him a collection of Pope's letters.

The negotiation went off for a time, because P.T.insisted upon Curll's first committing himself by publishing an advertisement, declaring himself to be already in possession of the originals.

Curll was too wary to commit himself to such a statement, which would have made him responsible for the theft; or, perhaps, have justified Pope in publishing the originals in self-defence.

The matter slept till March 1735, when Curll wrote to Pope proposing a cessation of hostilities, and as a proof of goodwill sending him the old P.T.advertisement.

This step fell in so happily with Pope's designs that it has been suggested that Curll was prompted in some indirect manner by one of Pope's agents.