WHITBREAD, Samuel (1764-1815). Politician.
Letter Signed to Lord Sidmouth (Henry Addington, 1757-1844, prime minister 1801-1804), 1 page 8vo with second, endorsed, leaf, Dover Street, 7 May 1814. Sending a petition (no longer enclosed) for the Prince Regent (later George IV). Sidmouth was at this time Home Secretary.

'Although I hope the hour of liberation is at hand, I nevertheless feel that I should fail in my duty to the unfortunate Persons whose names are signed to the enclosed, if I did not transmit it to you to be laid before His Royal Highness the Prince Regent.'

The letter is docketed on the second leaf as answered on the 9th, and on the reverse of the first page to the effect that the petition would be laid before the Prince Regent at the earliest opportunity.
 After a period of decline in his health Whitbread was to cut his own throat at 35 Dover Street (where at one time the autograph dealer Winifred Myers had her offices) on 6 July 1815.
Provenance: from a collection formed by A.M. Broadley in 1903.

£125 [No: 24792]