Spencer Perceval

Spencer Perceval (1762–1812)
Copy of a letter to the Prince Regent
London, 22 April 1811
MS Add. 8713/XIII/37

Perceval was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1807 to 1809 and Prime Minister from 1809 until his assassination in the lobby of the House of Commons on 11 May 1812. Among the documents in the fascinating collection of his papers held in the University Library are drafts, final versions and file copies of Perceval’s own letters, which provide an insight into the workings of a prime minister’s mind. In this letter, couched in the third-person formalities of the age, he made a proposal to the Prince Regent, the future King George IV, seeking a vote of thanks in Parliament for Wellington and his army, following the Duke’s successful operations against the French in Portugal and Spain. Perceval, a skilful manager of parliamentary procedure, finessed arrangements to achieve simultaneous motions in the Lords and the Commons.

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

Transcript:

Mr Perceval presents his humble duty to your Royal Highness, and submits to your Royal Highness that it is due to Lord Wellington and his Army that the thanks of Parliament should be given to them for their distinguished and successful exertions in the defence of Portugal during the last & present Campaign – and if your Royal Highness should be graciously pleased to approve of this proceeding Mr Perceval would give notice in the House of Commons this day of his intention to move for such thanks on Friday next. Mr Percival would not fix an earlier day because as the House of Lords do not meet till Wednesday, the Motion could not well be made in that House till Friday and it is desirable that it should be made at the same time in both Houses.

His Royal Highness
The Prince Regent

Downing St. Monday Morning
April 22 1811.

Extended captions