ALS signed “W. S. C.,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 8, Colonial Office, Down Street letterhead, May 3, 1907. Handwritten letter by Winston Churchill to his secretary, Eliot Crawshay-Williams, penned at the end of a draft letter sent by Crawshay-Williams on behalf of Churchill to a “Mr. Tomkinson.” Churchill begins by writing at the top of the first page, “This is a queer sort of letter,” and then underlines a pair of phrases — “great pressure” and “I need hardly say I can add nothing” — the latter of which Churchill comments, “'What on earth does this mean?” He continues: “God forbid that I in my temerity should ever venture even to explain or repeat the dread commands of Caesar! ‘Words so pungent, so wise, so conclusive need no comment from any mortal.’ I need hardly say that it would be utterly out of the question for me to add anything to official jargon, however curt or hackneyed.” Churchill then adds below: “Find out when the new law regulating oil boring will be passed. The delay is vexatious and will damage trade prospects. A full answer should be prepared.”
Crawshay-Williams’ handwritten draft reads: “I fear the great pressure of work at the present moment has prevented my replying to your letter of the 16th April for a long time. Since you wrote to me about Major Ewart and his desire for permission to commence boring for oil in Southern Nigeria, he will have received a letter from this office to which I need hardly say I can add nothing.” Churchill writes the salutation in his own hand. Includes the original transmittal envelope, which has been signed in bold ink, “Winston S. Churchill.” In fine condition.
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