Letter – James Losh to Henry Brougham – 29 Apr 1831

My dear Lord Brougham,

       Your letter of the 23rd. followed me to Carlisle and from thence has only this moment reached me. I went into Cumberland on Saturday to attend a great meeting of farmers ec, where William Blamire presided as your Brother James' deputy.   Politics were prohibited in our public speeches but great enthusiasm was shewn in conversation and I contrived to hint pretty broadly at reform in what I said to the meeting at large.   My nieces has prepared 3 dinner invitations for 3 different days to give me an opportunity of agitating.   On Sunday, however, I received a summons from Newcastle and on Monday I got upon the mail coach and got there in time for a public meeting.

We are going on admirably and I have no doubt we shall bring in Howick and Beaumont without any direct expence to either of them.   Their immediate connections, however, shou'd subscribe £1000 or £1500 for each of them.   All Beaumont's professional [agents] have given up their retainers and volunteered their most active and gratuitous [support] .   What do you think of 25 reforming Attornies all selected in 1826 and not for their political sentiments.   I of course heard their Declaration.

       I have written to Lord Durham today.   All hostility towards Beaumont must be forgotten (or at least suspended); any shyness or suspicion will do infinite harm as many of Beaumont's nearest connections are very jealous of some private understanding between Mr. Bell and Lord Howick's friends.   Another thing is of the utmost importance - the Agents of the Greenwich Hospital are all the private friends of Mr. Bell and they will evade any written directions which may be given to them.   A confidential person ought to be sent down as this may make the difference of 50 or 60 votes.   If Bell run away as I really hope he may do, I will proceed to Cumberland or Westmorland or wherever I may be wanted.   I have declined acting professionally (I mean for pay) any where.

I am much grieved that the Cabinet shou'd lose their salmon owing to my absence.

       Yours always sincerely,

       JAMES LOSH



[P.S.] I have this moment had a letter from the Cumberland and Carlisle committees.   You know, of course, that W.Blamire has been called forward by a very numerous party for the County.   And James and Howard have declared for the city.   The enthusiasm is as strong as we cou'd wish in Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland.   

       It is only justice to Mr. Beaumont to say that he has been always most anxious to secure  Ld. Howick's Election.   His own is beyond all doubt safe; but I know that he wou'd rather retire himself than that Lord Grey's son shou'd be beaten in his native county.   He has uniformly to me expressed his sincere respect for Lord Grey and there cannot be a more determined Reformer than he is.