Ancient, British and World Coins and Banknotes

A.L.S. by Sir Stafford Northcote, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to C.J. Herries C.B., Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, datelined “April 22 1880,” from 11 Downing Street. It reads “Though I said goodbye the other day, I must still write one line to repeat my thanks for all your invaluable help, and my own sorrow at the cessation of our pleasant intercourse. I hope, now that the sinners are thrown overboard, the ship will go smoothly, and that you will see the Revenue revive in a cheerful and spirited fashion. You and I have had to contend against very hard luck; but I believe we have done the best that could be done under the circumstances. I should have liked to get some recognition of your services before we left office; but these things do not lie with me. Perhaps we may yet work together again. I do not share the very sanguine expectations of some of our friends; but I do not believe that we are down forever.” There follows a postscript expressing the hope that Herries’ health will soon improve. 12.1 x 18.2cm, in postmarked envelope; together with three letters of condolence addressed to Miss Herries following the death of her brother Sir Charles Herries, and a legal document addressed to her, all dated 1883 [5]. All with folds, clean (£80-100)

Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh (1818-87), statesman and leader of the Conservative party, served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1874 to April 1880. He resigned from the post six days after writing this letter to Herries.


End of Session 5