Letter to Captain John Fortescue

This material is held atSt John's College Library Special Collections, University of Cambridge

Reference
- GB 275 Wilberforce/26
Dates of Creation
- 1794-01-18
Physical Description
- 7 pages on two bifolia, paper

Scope and Content

Autograph letter, signed, from William Wilberforce to Captain John Fortescue of Cookhill. Discusses at length the conduct of Rev. W. Williams, who was married to Fortescue's daughter, Theodosia. Wilberforce had helped to secure a position in Canada for Williams, but subsequently recommended his removal after Williams had encouraged soldiers there to rebel. After Williams had publicly insulted Wilberforce, accusing him of taking away his wife and children, Wilberforce sought a warrant for his arrest, though Williams escaped after being apprehended. Wilberforce explains to Fortescue that he had always acted in kindness towards Williams and forgave him. He also discusses the religious beliefs behind his personal attitude towards duelling, and touches upon an eye complaint which has required him to write in haste. A note on the reverse of the letter by a member of the Fortescue family, dated 1885, refers to Williams as 'a thorough scoundrel' and 'a revolutionary spy'.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from Bernard Quaritch Ltd in November 2017.

Additional Information

Published

Personal Names

Fortescue, John (c.1722-1808)

Williams, William (fl.1794)

Archive Record|Table of contents

Papers of William WilberforceWilberforce

ALS probably to Bryan Edwards (1743-1800), from BathWilberforce/1

ALS to Isaac Spooner (WW's father in law), from BognorWilberforce/2

ALS possibly to S.J. Pratt, from BroomfieldWilberforce/3

ALS to the Rev. Mr JoyceWilberforce/4

ALS to Messrs Russell and Bourne (election agents), from LondonWilberforce/5

ALS to E. Malone, from Kensington GoreWilberforce/6

ALS to J. Campbell, from Kensington GoreWilberforce/7

ALS to Sir Samuel Romilly, from LondonWilberforce/8

ALS to James Montgomery, from LondonWilberforce/9

ALS to Edward Milward, from LondonWilberforce/10

ALS to Richard Walshe, from LondonWilberforce/11

ALS to the Rev. George Hamilton, from Stansted parkWilberforce/12

Letter, not in WW's hand but signed by him, to S. and R. Percy, from Kensington GoreWilberforce/13

ALS to Thomas Fowell Buxton, from Kensington GoreWilberforce/14

Letter, not in WW's hand but signed by him, to W.B. Carter MD, from WyecombeWilberforce/15

Autograph copy of letter from Dr Carter to WW, from IpswichWilberforce/16

Fragment of autograph letter, not in WW's hand, to Eliza W. Bradbury, from Highwood HillWilberforce/17

Letter, not in WW's hand but signed by him, to Eliza W. Bradbury, from Highwood HillWilberforce/18

ALS to Captain Sir William Edward Parry, from Highwood HillWilberforce/19

ALS to Joseph Planta, from TaplowWilberforce/20

Letter, not in WW's hand but signed by him, to James Montgomery, from TaplowWilberforce/21

ALS to Mrs Buxton, from East FarleighWilberforce/22

Letter, not in WW's hand but signed by him, to James Montgomery, from BathWilberforce/23

Photocopy of ALS to Thomas Bernard, from near BathWilberforce/24

Notarial document attesting that Thomas Wilberforce, gentleman of Beverley, is the father of William Wilberforce, merchant of Kingston-Upon-Hull, who has died intestate at Narva in LivoniaWilberforce/25

Letter to Captain John FortescueWilberforce/26

ALS to my dear SirWilberforce/27

ALS to my dear SirWilberforce/28

ALS to Cadell & DaviesWilberforce/29

ALS to Lord Henry PettyWilberforce/31