SIR HENRY CAMBELL-BANNERMAN AUTOGRAPH Letter Signed.

British Liberal Prime Minister 1905-1908.

ALS.  House of Commons embossed letterhead. 13th June, 1892.  To [William] Woodall.

"Your appeal is a very strong one, and I should much like to do as you wish.  One thing, however, is certain - that I could not come till after the time you name.  I am to be engaged from Monday next for a fortnight in my own constituency.  After that, I have about 5 or 6 promises to fulfil in Scotland, & my own polling day will occur early in July.  I could possibly make a raid south to Staffordshire some time in the first 10 days of July, but it is impossible for me to promise, still less to indicate a day, until I see what my Caledonian engagements may be.  My first duty of course lies there. I leave this on Thursday, taking two meetings on my way to Scotland.  So you see I am pretty well made up.  On the whole therefore I fear you must not count upon my help, though it would have been a great pleasure to me to be of any service to you.  Yours sincerely, H. Campbell-Bannerman".

Bifolium.  8vo. Approx 19 x 12 cms.  Mounting traces to edge of verso of last leaf with two small holes in central fold, else near fine.

The letter is from the 19th century collection formed by the radical Liberal M.P. William Woodall. At the date of this letter both Woodall and Henry Campbell-Bannerman were heavily engaged in preparations for the 1892 general election.  Woodall had clearly asked for Campbell-Bannerman's assistance on the hustings in his constituency, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.  The Liberals were successful in the election and Campbell-Bannerman served in the government of William Ewart Gladstone as Secretary of State for War and Woodall served under him as Financial Secretary.  Woodall and Campbell-Bannerman had previously worked together in Gladstone's ministry of 1886, when Campbell-Bannerman was Secretary of State at the War Office and Woodall was Surveyor General of the Ordnance.