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Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1081

Richard Cromwell as Lord Protector
1658/9 (18 Jan.) autograph letter signed "Richard P" from Whitehall with integral address panel reading "Ffor my loving freind Capt: John Dunche att Horseley neare Winchester in Hants. These. From his Highnesse".

Letter reads "I have written to your brother Pitman ... to incourredge the Election of Mr. Rivet, whoe though chosen after the dispute of Mr. Whitehead, & Reynolds; yet is concerned to be better Election than either the other two and ought to be returned for that it was a generall and free choyce of the Electors of the place: and the dispute will not lye with Rivet; but I am informed that Whitehead will question that of Reynolds, who hath a ground to be dissputed, Whitehead being able to let him sele in upon the choyce which is made at Lymington; pray advise alsoe with my brother Major, & with Rivet, and if it be as we understand the Election here, then cause a returne to be made of that choyce either by Rivet himselfe appearing, or don it by yor selfe or others. The second parte of my letter is that yor brother would appeare at Whitchurch, for certainely were nor the Burrough can justifie, his taking a[n] ill blancke instrument from the place, & they for giving him such an unjustifiable power, & liberty. I would have you to see whether yor brother can get him selfe in by a fresh upon choyce which will be justifyed before that way of Whallop... [marginal text] I thinke wee can justifie Whitchurch as well Wallop, if you choose one you may choose Low [?], & yet Dr. Walker may be the other or rather [George] Withers of Manningdowne who is an active man, & one that Wallop hath disobliged. It is certain that Towne is far to cheepe [?] if it be as we are informed".

Overall foxing and some paper repairs. Sound and extremely rare, especially so as an autograph letter.

Provenance:

The Spiro Family Collection, Part I, Christie's, 3 Dec., 2003, Lot 85

Notes: Richard Cromwell succeeded his father on his death in September 1658, but would resign only nine months later, at the end of May the following year. His signature as Lord Protector is, then, very rare and significant. In his tenure he made significant changes to the election process meaning that smaller boroughs, who were easy to influence, had more say that the larger constituencies.

In this letter, Cromwell debates with his correspondent the relative merits of various MPs who might be more favourable cause, and most likely to be elected. A remarkable document that reveals the level of political planning and nous.

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Estimate
£2,000 to £3,000

Starting price
£1600