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Auction: 16043 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 30

Documents
George Canning
1815 (27 May) folio A.L.S. from Lisbon, to C.A. Broughton, it is marked "Private", and relates to financial matters, "I have to acknowledge your letter of the 12th including the statement of my account with you – as well as that of the 8th & of the 16th – which last arrived the day before yesterday ...". The letter concludes mentioning errors in his salary, " ... It cannot have been accident either. Is it malice?" and signed "Geo Canning". This was written whilst he was ambassador to Portugal. Photo

George Canning, FRS, (1770 – 1827) was a British statesman and Tory politician who served in various senior cabinet positions under numerous Prime Ministers, before himself serving as Prime Minister for the final four months of his life.


In 1809 Canning argued with the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, Lord Castlereagh, over the deployment of troops that Canning had promised would be sent to Portugal but which Castlereagh sent to the Netherlands. The government became increasingly paralysed in disputes between the two men. Portland was in deteriorating health and gave no lead, until Canning threatened resignation unless Castlereagh were removed and replaced by Lord Wellesley. Portland secretly agreed to make this change when it would be possible. Castlereagh discovered the deal in September 1809 and challenged Canning to a duel. Canning accepted the challenge and it was fought on 21 September 1809 on Putney Heath. Canning, who had never before fired a pistol, widely missed his mark. Castlereagh, who was regarded as one of the best shots of his day, wounded his opponent in the thigh. There was much outrage that two cabinet ministers had resorted to such a method. Shortly afterwards the ailing Portland resigned as Prime Minister.

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