Early ALS signed “Winston S. Churchill,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, personal letterhead, June 25, 1908. Churchill writes to editor James Nicoll Dunn at the Manchester Courier. In full: “I am v[er]y glad indeed to receive the copy you have been good enough to send me of the Manchester Courier containing a retraction of the charges made against me in terms that are perfectly satisfactory with me. I am also obliged to you for the friendly spirit of your leading article on the same subject. I have been willing to allow this matter to reach a friendly settlement, principally because I know quite well that you were not in any degree personally responsible for the libel wh[ich] appeared, that it was due to inadvertence & great press of work, & that all such methods are in complete disharmony with the high & honourable traditions of journalism which you have personally sustained….” At the time of writing, Churchill, by then a seasoned member of Parliament, was in his first weeks as the new President of the Board of Trade, in which capacity he oversaw a far-reaching slate of social and labor reforms. The “charges” he alludes to are likely related to his promotion to this post, or perhaps to the special election held for his parliamentary seat, prescribed by British law for all new Cabinet appointees. (Though Churchill lost the election, he was re-elected in a different district a few months later.) Less than two months after writing this letter, Churchill proposed to Clementine Hozier, who would become his lifelong companion and bear him five children. A bit of scattered wrinkling and soiling and light show-through, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Churchill’s hand and bearing his printed return signature. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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