1846 Henry Brougham ALS to Edward Dubois on Patronage & Palmerston Appt POSTED For Sale

Henry Brougham – Autograph Letter Signed – To Edward Dubois – 26 January 1846

A fine and historically rich autograph letter signed (ALS) from Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux (1778–1868), leading Whig statesman, Lord Chancellor, and major figure in nineteenth‑century political reform. Addressed to Edward Dubois (1774–1850), the celebrated London wit, journalist, barrister, and long‑time contributor to the Morning Chronicle and The Observer.

The letter is written during a period of political instability in early 1846, when Peel’s government was collapsing over the Corn Laws and Palmerston’s influence was shifting. Brougham writes privately to Dubois about a sensitive patronage matter, involving a promised appointment originally offered by Lord Palmerston. The tone is discreet, urgent, and characteristic of Brougham’s political correspondence.

Full transcription:

*PrivateG. St.Sat.y

My dear P?. I assure you I had not forgotten it, But at the present critical moment one can speak visibly? of patronage – nevertheless I shall send him in May so as to ascertain if it be hopeless – that no time may in that improbable event be lost – I say improbable because Palm[erston] at one time fairly promised an appmt – not at my request

Yours faithfullyH. B.

Call some day in your way – I am so only before 12*

The content is classic mid‑Victorian political manoeuvring: Brougham distances himself from the origin of the request (“not at my request”), notes the “critical moment” in politics, and promises to “send him in May” to test whether the appointment is still viable. This is precisely the type of minor legal or administrative patronage Dubois was involved in.

The letter is addressed to:E. Dubois Esq, 16 Sloane St, London

This matches Dubois’s documented residence in the 1840s; he died at his home on Sloane Street in January 1850.

Postal marks:

• Black “TP Curzon St” Two‑Penny Post receiving house mark on the front.

• Red circular datestamp “1846 JA 26 8 M 08 B” on the reverse, next to the red wax seal — the correct London morning duty receiving stamp for 26 January 1846.

• Penny Red adhesive stamp present.

These marks confirm the letter’s full postal journey: entered via Curzon Street, processed in the London morning duty, and delivered to Dubois at Sloane Street.

Historical significance: This is a rare intersection of:

• Henry Brougham’s political patronage

• Lord Palmerston’s appointment promises

• Edward Dubois’s literary‑legal world

• A ministerial crisis in early 1846

• A fully datable postal panel with TP Curzon St and JA 26 1846 marks

A desirable political autograph with excellent provenance and clear contextual anchors.

Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

Henry Peter Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux, PC, FRS (Sep 1778 – May 1868) was a British statesman who became Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain and played a prominent role in passing the Reform Act 1832 and Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

Edward Dubois (Jan 1774 – 1850) was an English wit and man of class=\"MsoNormal\">One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.

Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed

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