Pelham, Henry (1694–1754), Prime Minister of Great Britain; ...

Pelham, Henry (1694–1754), Prime Minister of Great Britain; and James West (1703–1772) Six autograph letters and drafts concerning political preferment, Treasury appointments and ministerial patronage, 1744–1751. Comprising three autograph letters signed by Pelham to West, one autograph letter signed by West to Pelham, and two unsigned drafts by West; six bifolia, together 14 pp. written; contemporary docketing, historic folds, scattered staining and soiling, small marginal tears and losses. 28 June 1744, Lincoln's Inn, West to Pelham, autograph letter signed, 1 p. West apologises for having caused Pelham "a moment's uneasiness," explaining that he had merely repeated what numerous members of the House of Commons had said to him, and assuring Pelham that he valued his friendship above any personal advantage. 29 November 1744, Lincoln's Inn, West to Pelham, unsigned draft, 2 pp., with deletions and insertions. West reports intelligence received at Court from Francis Fane that George Grenville was intended to succeed Mr Jeffreys as Secretary to the Treasury; that Grenville's uncle, John Scrope, was rapidly declining; and that Jeffreys was incapable of conducting the Treasury business. West contrasts Grenville with Henry Fane and places his own loyalty and ambitions before Pelham, declaring: "I have been long fully determined to be no man's servant but yours." Undated [probably December 1744], West to Pelham, unsigned draft, 3 pp., extensively revised. West presses his own claim to advancement and questions why Jeffreys should remain in office, writing: "Is not Jeffreys kept in to keep West out in complaisance to the forward unreasonable temper & views of Scrope; if so must wait till Scrope dy'd. The Party are determined to force Jeffreys out." 26 December 1744, Esher Place, Pelham to West, autograph letter signed "H. Pelham," 4 pp. A candid response to the pressure being exerted upon Pelham to dismiss Jeffreys. Pelham declares that "to be told that I must displace a man so immediately under my direction as the Secretary of the Treasury … is not a way of working upon my temper." He rejects any insinuation of concealed motives, which he "most heartily despise[s]," and states that nobody except Lord Harrington, and he only slightly, had spoken to him about the matter. Pelham explains that Jeffreys was already established when he assumed leadership of the Treasury and had subsequently served him with honesty and freedom. 20 July 1745, Greenwich, Pelham to West, autograph letter signed "H. Pelham," 2 pp. Pelham wishes West success at Evesham and admits that, had he understood its importance, he "would have strained hard to have made a vacancy." He assures West that, should a vacancy arise through death, he might reasonably expect to succeed in his application, provided Pelham's party retained the right of appointment and another lottery proved necessary. 7 August 1751 [date from docket], Greenwich, Pelham to West, autograph letter signed "H. Pelham," 2 pp. Following a death in the Wine Licence Office, Pelham requests the necessary warrant for the King's signature to appoint General Mordaunt, having long been engaged to the Duke of Kingston on his brother's behalf. He discusses whether Mordaunt should retain another office, previously promised to Sir William Corbet for a brother, and asks West to bring any other papers requiring signature. A postscript records that the warrant has arrived, been signed and forwarded to Tunbridge; Pelham hopes West will stay to dinner. Henry Pelham served as Prime Minister from 1743 until his death in 1754, combining leadership of the government with the offices of First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. These letters document West's direct access to the minister and his attempts to turn political loyalty into advancement. (6)

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