187

Edmund Burke

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Edmund Burke

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Auction Date:2018 Dec 05 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Statesman, author, orator, political theorist, and philosopher (1729–1797) who, after relocating to England, served for many years in the House of Commons. He is mainly remembered for his support of the American Revolution, and for his later opposition to the French Revolution. ALS signed “Edm. Burke,” one page, 7 x 9.25, January 30, 1788. Letter to William Fawkener, clerk of the Privy Council, concerning his suspicions at the rumor of an appeal being brought on a judgment given by Sir Elijah Impey against the magistrates at Patna. In part: "I am just informed of a fact, which if I could suppose true, would give me great uneasiness. An appeal to the King in Council had been directed by Act of Parliament on a procedure against certain Musselman Magistrates at Patna, in which Sir E. Impey had given a Judgement which to both Houses of Parliament seemed liable to great Objection. This appeal has slept for seven years; but is now brought forward in the very moment when a Charge is depending in Parliament against Sir E. Impey on account of this very Judgement. I hear also that the Directors of the East India Company have ordered their Sollicitor (who is at the same time Sollicitor for Mr. Hastings now under Impeachment by the House of Commons) to prepare a Case for Council in order for trial. I recollect well the Conduct of certain of the Directors relative to these unhappy Magistrates, on whose behalf they were Complainants of a most flagitious Nature, tending to collude with the Judge against whom they Complained, and to betray and ruin the person they pretended to protect. Parliament was so sensible of this that they came after a solemn deliberation to a strong Resolution against the late Mr. Sullivan upon that subject; and this stands on their Journals. When I consider all the Circumstances of this Case, and the withholding all Communication with the Members of Parliament who conducted that business I think it must give rise to suspicions of Collusion on this occasion, which may be highly disreputable to the National honour and Justice, if the Reports I hear are true, as I hope they are not. May I beg you will be so obliging as to let me know whether any and what proceedings are had upon this Appeal. I beg pardon for giving you this trouble." In fine condition.

This letter reflects Burke's long-running battle against the East India Company and the British government in India, which culminated in the impeachment of Warren Hastings in the House of Commons. In particular, this letter concerns the behavior of Sir Elijah Impey while serving as chief justice of Bengal between 1774 and 1789—he had apparently acted illegally in extending the powers of his court beyond their defined bounds, leading to his recall to England and impeachment proceedings before the House of Commons in 1788. Here, Burke reveals that he is suspicious of the motives of East India Company officials, believing them to be acting in collusion to prevent Impey's impeachment. Burke feared that the proceedings on the appeal in the 'Patna Cause'—a controversial decision regarding a disputed inheritance in Patna, Bengal—would preclude Impey's impeachment. A boldly penned, well-preserved letter from the great political theorist.