An autograph letter signed by Alfred Milner to 'Dear Wilson' (not otherwise identified)
Small octavo, 3 pages (a bifolium, last page blank), on embossed Chancellor of the Exchequer stationery (printed 'Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, SW'); 9 August 1888.
Horizontal creases where folded for posting; slight traces of prior mounting in the right-hand margin of the first page; in very good condition.
'Dear Wilson, Many thanks for your letter. I hope I shall get some opportunity of looking at the return to which you give me the reference, but we can all say we most sincerely in this scramble, "we have left undone those things which we ought to have done." However I have directed my chief's attention to the point, which is a big one. If I have any opportunity of helping you about the other matter, to which you refer, you may be sure that I shall not fail to do so.' At this time, Milner was private secretary of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Goschen. Later, as 'High Commissioner for South Africa 1897-1905 and Governor of Cape Colony 1897-1901, he worked closely with Rhodes and pushed Kruger towards war (1899). With Kitchener he negotiated the Treaty of Vereeniging which ended the Boer War (1902) and was created Viscount. He governed Transvaal and the Orange Free State until 1905'. His most significant role was as a Minister in Lloyd George's Cabinet 1916-21, and a driving force in war policy, Russia, Palestine, Ireland and Imperial Preference. ('Dictionary of World Biography'). Provenance: Collection of The Hon Barry Jones AC.
Item #115574
Price (AUD):
$300.00