BALFOUR (Arthur James, 1848-1930, Prime Minister 1902-1905, Earl)

Fine letter marked 'Dictated', signed as Prime Minister to Sir James AGG-GARDNER (1846-1928 Brewery owner and Conservative MP for Cheltenham, an early supporter of Women's Suffrage) thanking him "for the Resolution which you have been good enough to convey to me from a meeting over which you presided at Cheltenham ... it has given me great pleasure ...". 2 sides 8vo., 10 Downing Street headed paper with the First Lord of the Treasurer's stamp, 16th December

In July 1902 Balfour succeeded his uncle as Prime Minister. He oversaw reform of British defence policy and supported Fisher's naval innovations. He secured the Entente Cordiale with France, leaving Germany in the cold. He cautiously embraced the imperial preference championed by Joseph Chamberlain, but resignations from the Cabinet over tariffs left his party divided. He also suffered from public anger at the later stages of the Boer war.

Item Date:  1904

Stock No:  39255      £175

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire