"WAR FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR EXTREME RIGHTS WOULD BE NOT ONLY IMPOLITIC BUT ALMOST SINFUL"
PEEL
(Sir Robert, 1788-1850, Prime Minister 1834-1835 and 1841-1846, from 1830 2nd Baronet)
Important Autograph Letter Signed to Lord ASHBURTON
(Alexander Baring, 1774-1848, Politician and Financier, President of the Board of Trade) saying that he writes to him "immediately and I will write to you without reserve on the subject on which I have this day hear from you. Before your return to England I agreed with Aberdeen that we ought to mark our entire satisfaction with your conduct and our approbation of your Treaty, by conferring the rewards usually conferred after successful public service. I expressed my opinion that the measure of the Reward should be such as to convey the most unequivocal indication of our satisfaction at the same time that it should not betoken undue exultation on the part of this Country at the termination of its differences with the United States. It is my sincere opinion that this would not be advantageous either to the public interest, to the Government or to you. The distinction is to be conferred on a special occasion and for a special public service. We must put out of view your high position in respect of private and public character and station in the Country and consider what is that distinction which shall effect the objects which ... ought to be reconciled, namely, to give a decisive proof of complete approval of your conduct, and satisfaction with the result of your labours and to avoid the indication of too much rejoicing at our escape from difficulties. The concessions made to the United States were ... most wisely and prudently made, the manner in which they were made was becoming your own character and the character of the Country you represented. War for the maintenance of our extreme Rights would be not only impolitic but almost sinful. Still however we cannot deny that we have made concessions if not of real interests, yet apparent ones, if we look at the letter and spirit of former diplomatic engagements and compare what we relinquish with what we retain. I cannot therefore think that it wold be wise to be too exulting ... I entertain this opinion, not from grudging reward to you, not from undervaluing your services, but with reference to great public interests and to the position of this Country in relation to the United States and to other Countries ..." he continues with the proposal that he is "raised to the Rank of Viscount, coupled with that distinction which was specially instituted for the Reward of public Civil Service the order of the Bath, would be a fitting Reward ...", he says that this was the reward "conferred upon Lord Melville, Lord Sidmouth, Lord Exmouth, Lord Beresford and very recently upon Lord Hill. The widow of Mr Canning received the same distinction ...", he tells him that recently he had heard "very confidentially the Lord Hill wished for an Earldom as the reward of (I think) 14 years service a Commander in Chief. I declined a compliance with that request and in consequence ... he was raised to the rank of Viscount. I mention these things only for the purpose of showing that that Rank in the Peerage has been very frequently ... specially appropriate to the reward of very eminent public service ..." he continues about the Order of the Bath before saying that "The time has not gone by for the Ratification of the Treaty would be the fitting one for conferring the Reward ..." and he assures him of his appreciation of "both the pure motives which induced you to undertake the mission and of the pubic service you have rendered by the conduct & termination of it ..." and he ends with the hope that he will "permit me to advise the Queen to confer on you the distinctions which I have suggested ...", 6 sides 4to., Drayton Manor, 16th October
trimmed close to text, dust mark along horizontal fold, both without loss
Item Date:
1842
Stock No:
39501
£975
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PEEL
(Sir Robert, 1788-1850, Prime Minister)
Fine Autograph Letter Signed, marked ‘Private’ to Davies GILBERT
(1767-1830 Engineer, Author and Politician, Member and President of the Royal Society) acknowledging his letter and assuring him “that I have the utmost personal satisfaction in undertaking any labours or inquiries which have for their object the promotion of science in this Country. I not only feel it a public duty - but I take a deep interest in these matters apart from all considerations of official station. Never scruple therefore to address yourself to me on any points on which a Representation to the Executive Government is requisite. I will not lose sight of the points particularly referred in your letter. In fact I have again written to Mr Goulburn upon them...”, 2 sides 8vo., Whitehall, 8th August year illegible but circa
Item Date:
1830
Stock No:
41904
£275
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PELHAM
(Henry, 1696-1754, Prime Minister)
Fine Autograph Letter Signed to Lord PALMERSTON
(Henry Temple, c. 1673-1757, 1st Viscount and Politician) saying he is "ashamed to give you any trouble on this occasion, but as the Parliament is appointed to meet on Tuesday the sixteenth of November and in all probability will proceed to business immediately, I shall hope we might expect to see your Lordship there the first day. An appearance of well wishers to their friends and their country, may possibly prevent, or at least deny the designs of the enemy, it is on these principles I venture to trouble your Lordship ...", 1 side 4to., no place, 15th October
Item Date:
1872
Stock No:
39982
£675
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PELHAM
(Sir Thomas, 1650-1712, M.P., father of Henry PELHAM)
Fine signature
Item Date:
0
Stock No:
8320
£20
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HOPING TO SEE KRUGER 'IN THE CART'
PEMBROKE
(Sidney Herbert, 1853-1914, M.P. and Cabinet Minister, 14th Earl)
Autograph letter signed to 'My dear Graham',
Col. Edward Ritchie Coryton Graham, b. 1858, Assistant Adjutant General in South Africa, saying he was delighted "to be able to do a good turn to an old friend, Bigge told me he had received the Queen's commands to write to you", he expects "most of the troops at the front have been indebted to you and your staff for what you have sent up ... I hope that the end of next week may see Kruger safely 'in the cart' ... the news from China diversifies our anxiety ... I have been able to run down here for Sunday, owing to the Khedive being too ill to land" in the Thames, complaints about the war have diminished "since Roberts' successes began", but "calling up Reservists, Royal Reservists, and embodiments of Militia" means "our Barracks are full to overcrowding", sending "some thousands of men on furlough. We have not got to the bottom of the British Army yet!", embossed monogram and coronet, 4 sides 7" x 4½", Wilton House, Salisbury, 23rd June
neat blue pencil '19' over part of side 1, spike hole touching coronet and one word
Item Date:
1900
Stock No:
53521
£225
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