A letter from Wellington

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769–1852)
Letter to F. W. Pollock
London, 19 April 1834
MS Add. 4251/1473
© Stratfield Saye Preservation Trust

The respect commanded by Wellington in later life is illustrated by this letter to William Pollock of Trinity College, in which he assented, cordially but conditionally, to present to the House of Lords a petition from the undergraduates of the University of Cambridge. The Duke drew on his experience of political life to suggest a tactful way forward, given the circulation of a parallel petition from the Chancellor and Members of the Senate. In the same year, Wellington was elected Chancellor of the University of Oxford, even though he could boast no significant academic qualification. Perhaps this generous response to an undergraduate reflects what the Duke’s biographer, Norman Gash, called his ‘compulsive urge’ to reply to letters.

For a transcript of the letter click on ‘Extended Captions’, and for further images of this item click on ‘Open Digital Library’.

Transcript:

London April 19 1834
Sir
I have received your Letter of the 18 Inst.
I will with great satisfaction present to the House of Lords the Petition of the Undergraduates of the University of Cambridge described by you, if you should think proper to send it to me after receiving this Letter. The Chancellor of the University of Cambridge HRH the Duke of Gloucester has given notice of His Intention to present a Petition to the House of Lords on Monday from the Resident Members of the Senate upon the same subject; and I would suggest to you the Expediency of entrusting to His Royal Highness the Petition referred to in your Letter.
If however you should be desirous that I should present it I recommend to you to transmit it so that I may receive it before the House will meet on Monday; in order that I may present it on the same day that His Royal Highness will present the Petition from the Members of the Senate.
I have the Honor to be Sir Your most obedient Humble Servant
Wellington

W. F. Pollock Esq

© Stratfield Saye Preservation Trust

Extended captions