(PRIME MINISTERS--UK.) DISRAELI, BENJAMIN. Group of 5 Autograph Letters, each but one Signed, "BDisraeli," to Member of Parliament William Johnston, each marked in holograph at upper edge with "confidential" or "private," advising him on parliamentary procedure and on a response to the House's prohibition of "Derry Celebrations" [processions held in commemoration of the 1689 Siege of Derry]. Together 15 pages, 8vo or 12mo, personal stationery; generally good condition. Each with the original envelope, addressed in holograph and with Franking Signature ("D" or "BDisraeli"). (SFC) [High Wycombe or London], 1868-72
23 August 1868, unsigned, in full: "I acknowledge the receipt of your letter & I receive it in the same spirit in which it is written." 8 December 1869: "The leader of a party in a house of Parliament is never 'nominated': the selection is always the spontaneous act of the party in the House in wh. he sits. It was so in the case of Lord Cairns, who yielded, most unwillingly, to the general wish, Lord Salisbury being one of the warmest of his solicitors. It was so in my own case: Lord Derby never appointed me to the leadership, but the party chose to follow me & the rest ensued. . . . "I make no doubt our friends in the House of Lords will, in due season, find a becoming chief, but our interposition will not aid them . . . ." 7 January 1871: ". . . I used my utmost influence at the General Election to prevent your being opposed, & I was . . . supported in this endeavour by Lord Cairns & Lord Mayo. The result proved that the leaders of the party have no influence at Belfast, & that important results depend on local persons & passions. . . . "When you were returned, under circumstances disastrous to the Conservative party, I did not hold you responsible for them, I looked forward with hope . . . to your removing by your conduct in the House all prejudices & misunderstanding. . . . I more than regret to learn that these troubles have not closed . . . ." 20 February 1872: "I think you are quite justified . . . in calling the attention of the House to the subject of the Derry Celebrations & asking its opinion in the form of a resolution. . . ." 5 March 1872, in postscript: ". . . That the conduct of H. Majesty's Government in allowing party processions in the case of the inauguration of the statue of the late Smith O'Brien . . . while prohibiting the Derry procession, evinced a spirit of partiality, wh. in the opinion of this House, is highly to be condemned." With--William Johnston's transcription of Disraeli's letter to him, written from Ballykilbeg House on August 30, 1868, noting that the Conservative Party leaders are seeking a candidate to oppose Disraeli in the General Election and expressing a lifelong admiration for Johnston. 3 pages, 8vo. Np, circa 30 August 1868.
