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Auction: 15037 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 37

Documents
John Stuart Mill
1870 (11 January) A.L.S. and envelope sent from his home in Avignon addressed to The Right Hon. Russell Gurney M.P. The letter gives an account reported in the Daily News of a policeman, William Smith, who was taken before a magistrate for striking a man with his staff after seeing him knock a woman down in the street at one in the morning. Sentenced to one month in prison, the policeman was dismissed from the force, loosing his livelihood. He argues that other policemen will be inhibited in their legitimate work if the risk of prosecution hangs over them and that William Smith should be restored to the force.

The envelope bears Laureated Napoleon 40c. tied by gross chiffres with the despatch c.d.s. alongside; redirected on arrival the envelope bears a good strike of the diminutive "R." in crowned circle (denoting the parliamentary privilege of no fee for redirection) and London E.C. Paid c.d.s. Fine. Photo

John Stuart Mill (1806-73) was a British philosopher, political economist and civil servant. He was a great campaigner for liberty, which included womens' rights. He died in Avignon.

Russell Gurney (1804-78) was an English Conservative Party politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1865 to 1878. Before his election he was a Judge of Assize

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Estimate
£500 to £600