William Pitt, the Elder | Autograph letter signed, to the Lord Chancellor, Lord Hardwicke, 10 March 1754

William Pitt 'The Elder', 1st Earl of Chatham

Autograph letter signed ("W. Pitt"), ostensibly to George Lyttelton, but in fact for the eyes of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Hardwicke [annotated at head by Lyttelton "Ostensible (i.e. may be shown to) Ld Hardwicke"]

containing an assessment of Pitt's notions of his own political position, including reasons why he would not at the time accept the Premiership, and an appeal for office, preferably Secretary of War, in the administration being formed following the death of Pelham, 4 pages, 4to, Bath, [10] March [1754], long ink stain to first page, first leaf sunned, remains of guard

“…Consideration and Weight in the House of Commons arises generally but from one of two Causes: the Protection and Countenance of the Crown, visibly manifested by marks of Royal favour at Court, or from Weight in the Country sometimes arising from opposition to the Publick Measures. This latter sort of Consideration it is a great satisfaction to me to reflect, I parted with, as soon as I became Convinced there might be danger to the Family from pursuing opposition any further, & I need not say I have not had the honour to receive any of the former since I became the King's Servant…”

A letter appealing for a place in the new government that was being formed under the guidance of Hardwicke following the death of the Prime Minister Henry Pelham. This letter was sent to George Lyttelton, a long-term ally as a member of the opposition group known as “Cobham’s Cubs”. Pitt’s intention was to bring about change from within government. He here suggests he should take the Secretaryship of War, with Fox as Chancellor of the Exchequer – in a separate letter he explained that he accepted this position because he believed that Fox was so odious he could not last long in office (lot 127). Pitt was not offered a place in the new Cabinet, and he soon resumed his role as the brilliant and articulate leader of the Opposition. 

PROVENANCE:

George, first Baron Lyttelton (1709-1773); thence by descent; The Lyttelton Papers: The Property of the Viscount Cobham, Sotheby's, London, 12 December 1978, lot 114