Description:

"Mr. Pitt" 2x Mentioned in Rare Viscount Sydney ALS With Political Content

A 3pp autograph letter signed by Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (1733-1800) three times: the first time as "Sydney" on the first page at lower right; the second time initialed as "S" on the first page at lower left; and the third time initialed as "S" on the second page near the top center. October 10, 1788. Tottenham Park, [England]. On laid watermarked bifold paper. Docketed in another hand as "T. Lord Sydney" on the blank outermost leaf. Expected wear including flattened folds, some with tiny breaks. Scattered areas of grubbiness and reversible pencil inscriptions. Else near fine and extremely legible. 7.5" x 9.125." Accompanied by a Spink Smythe label from January 2013.

Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney wrote an unknown correspondent named "Jack" about a developing political situation in Gloucester, in southwestern England, that Sydney was at a loss to handle. At the time, Sydney served as Home Secretary to William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), Prime Minister of Great Britain. Sydney twice mentions his superior in the letter, both times as "Mr. Pitt," within the context that the Prime Minister will know what Jack should do. Also discussed is the possibility of a general election, which did not take place in 1788.

In full:

"Tottenham Park
Oct: 10: 1788

My dear Jack,

From hence I have not the least Idea of a Friend to be recommended. Sr C. Barron's sudden termination of a long illness has disconcerted matters, & Sir G. Paul has got the start. I have thought it adviseable [sic] to send your Letter or an extract of it to Mr. Pitt, who is now in town. Probably any answer from him though directed to you may come too late for Business. But I am quite in the dark myself.

Yrs most affectionately

Sydney

N.B.
Sg St Sr W. Guise (?)
the Receivorship [sic] of the Country.

turn over

Do not engage yourself lightly. S.

Is there no Gentleman of the Country, that will stand upon the right Interest, or is there no Compromise to be made? against a general Election?

S.

Your Letter and it's [sic] contents have come so suddenly upon me, that I feel myself much at a loss what advice to give. Perhaps you may hear from me again in a short time, if any thing [sic] occurs to me, but at a distance, a thought to the leading Persons at Gloucester I have little or no foundation for an opinion. Procede [sic] however with caution.

Your Letter is dated Bath and the cover Gloucester, and I can hardly find out by your Groom to what place you directed him to return, but he says, (Bath), and so does your Letter. I am now more puzzled than ever. But I shall desire Mr. Pitt to send to you to Bath. I had said Matson.

If he shd think it better to send at once to Gloucester I will advise him to send his Commands to Mr. H. Lehrya (?), who will take care not to let any one know from when he has them."

Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney served as Home Secretary under William Pitt the Younger from 1783-1789. Just ten months earlier, in late January 1788, Sydney had become the namesake of Sydney, Australia when "Sydney Cove" was christened. William Pitt the Younger served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1783-1801 and as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801-1806.

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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