Description:

Benjamin Disraeli 2x Signed Lengthy ALS Discussing County & Borough Police Act of 1856

An 8pp autograph letter twice signed by future British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881), the first time as "D" at the conclusion of the letter; and the second time within the text of the letter as part of his wife's name "Mrs. Disraeli." Written on either October 17 or October 19, 1856 at Disraeli's residence Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire, England. On bifold stationery, the first and third pages blind embossed "Hughenden Manor" at top. Expected paper folds, else clean, crisp, and near fine. There are a few discrete pencil inscriptions made by a former collector or archival repository. All of the pages are uniformly hole-punched near the center, not affecting the legibility of the text. 4.5" x 7.125."

In the fall of 1856, Disraeli wrote this letter to "The Rt Hble Spencer Walpole" or Spencer Horatio Walpole (1806-1898), his Conservative colleague in the House of Commons. This letter is listed as #2868 in the published collection of Disraeli's correspondence edited by M.G. Wiebe, "Volume VI, Benjamin Disraeli Letters, 1852-1856" (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, Inc.), p. 502. See this book for further details and some interesting editorial notes.

In full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"October 17 [19?]. 1856

My dear Walpole,

Your first letter reached me on the eve of a most busy Q. Sess:, for in addition to usual two days attendance, we were obliged to appoint a Committee, of wh: I was chosen Chairman, to adapt the New Police Act to the County. This was, + is a most laborious affair, + as I have no railroad, I am obliged to travel daily, more than thirty miles, to Aylesbury + back = in fact worse than the H of C. [House of Commons]

Yesterday evening I returned here, having concluded our labors for this month -

All this to explain why I did not notice before, yr. preposterous proposition - who ever heard of morning visits in the Country? Altho' it may be possible to carry on politics in London under the inspiration of tea, I still believe, that for the recess, and the provinces, claret is the more constitutional course. I trust, therefore, you will not only come, but induce Mrs. Walpole to come + pay us a visit before the leaf has fallen from our woods. Mrs. Disraeli says, that you owe us a visit, having on a former occasion, forgotten to fulfill yr promise in that respect. Any day will suit us, except Tuesday 21st., when I have an agricult. dinner at Chesham.

What say you to Wednesday next? You know all about the trains, + therefore I say no more, except, that we will send all that is necessary for you to the Wycomb station, if you will advise us.

My best Compliments + remembrances to Mrs. Walpole

Yours sincerely,
D."

Walpole was a fellow Conservative politician in the House of Commons who was then representing Cambridge University. In 1856, Walpole was in between terms as Home Secretary (his first was in 1852, and his second would be between 1858-1859). Walpole would serve 36 years in Parliament between 1846-1882.

The "New Police Act" referred to the County and Borough Police Act of 1856 (19 & 20 Vict c 69), which made local police forces compulsory. According to the editor of "Disraeli Letters," Disraeli had attended the local legislative session in Aylesbury in mid-October (the Michaelmas Session in Buckinghamshire), where he and others discussed how to comply with the new law. The County and Borough Police Act was just one of dozens police acts passed in Victorian Britain between 1839-1893. London's Metropolitan Police Force had been established in 1829.

The letter underscores Britons' increasing reliance on railroads and rail travel to connect a "town and country" separated by many miles as well as tastes (Disraeli's tea in the city versus claret in the country!) Disraeli complains about traveling to Aylesbury (by modern highways located only 13 miles slightly northwest of Hughenden Hall) to attend the regional sessions, and urges the Walpoles to travel by train to Wycomb, the nearest station to Hughenden Manor. In the letter, Disraeli also mentions an upcoming trip to Chesham, which is located some 10 miles northeast of Hughenden Manor.

Benjamin Disraeli would serve two terms as British Prime Minister in 1868 and between 1874-1880. He devoted 44 years of service to Parliament and was one of Queen Victoria's most cherished advisers.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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