Benjamin Disraeli ALS: "the pressure of business is so great, that I cannot be absent from my post"

A 4pp autograph letter signed by future British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) as "B Disraeli" at the bottom of the fourth page. Written on July 23, 1850 at Disraeli's London residence at 1, Grosvenor Gate. On bifold stationery. Expected paper folds and minor weathering found along the top folds of the last page. Else near fine. 4.5" x 7.125."

Benjamin Disraeli wrote this letter to the Mayor of Buckingham regretfully declining an invitation to attend a summer festival honoring the current Duke of Buckingham, Richard Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos (1797-1861). Disraeli's Victorian mansion Hughenden Manor was located nearby in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire; he had purchased it a few years earlier, in 1848.

In full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"Dear Sir,

I very much regret, that it will not be in my power to reach Buckingham on the 28th Inst. It would have afforded me much gratification to have supported His Grace the Duke of Buckingham, in the chair at your festival, + I have delayed replying to your very obliging invitation in the hopes that I might accept it, but towards the close of the Session, the pressure of business is so great, that I cannot be absent from my post.

I have the honor to be,
dear Sir,
your very faithful serv
B Disraeli."

Though he did not hold any official office in 1850, Disraeli was probably just as busy as he claimed to the Mayor of Buckingham. Members of Parliament continued to convene during the last two weeks of July 1850 and the first two weeks of August 1850. On July 23, 1850, the day Disraeli declined this invitation, five topics were introduced and discussed in the House of Commons, ranging in subjects as diverse as poor laws and medical charities in Ireland, to the recent implementation of martial law on the Ionian Islands.

Benjamin Disraeli would serve two terms as British Prime Minister in 1868 and between 1874-1880. He devoted 44 years of service to Parliament and was one of Queen Victoria's most cherished advisers.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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