Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-25
MARLBOROUGH GIFT.
TO u. S. IS NOTABLE
Remarkable Collection OF
Letters Presented to Ii
brary of Congress.

The notable gift, just announced,
made BY the Duke of Marlborough to
the Library of Congress of an extensive
collection of autograph letters written
TO him between 1894 and 1926, together
with the original of the letter from the
first Duke of Marlborough. written on
the battlefield of Families, May "a,
1905: the original of the letter from
Victoria to Frances Anne, Duchess OF
Marlborough written in 1880, and three
autograph letters of the Earl of Bea-
consfield. is quite without precedent In
the history of the national Library, it
was announced there yesterday, with
the explanation that no other instance
is recalled by the Library authorities
when the head of a family of such dis
tinction has deliberately conflded to
foreign custody family memorials so
precious in character
The collection is supplemented with
photographs and articles from the
Marlborough archives at Blenheim Pal
ace having relation to the written docu-
ments. Aside from the unusual value
of the gift from the standpoint of the
historical investigator. it is regarded as
having a special significance from the
standpoint of international friendship
and good will.
Some months ago the duke formed
the purpose of giving the collection to
the United States, and in consulting
cambridge Colby formerly Secretary
of State, accepted the latterS sugges-
ton to donate it to the national Library
in Washington. 1t will be held in the
keeping of the Library's division of
manuscripts, in accordance with its
high Importance and unique interest.
Royalty Is Represented.
Among the individuals represented by
these letters are King Edward. the
Prince of Wales, Prince Christian of
Schleswig- Holstein, the Duke of Cam
bridge and the Duke of Norfolk; states
men like Lords Salisbury, Curzon. Ions
dale, Reading, Dufferin, Lansdowne,
Miner, Rosbery, Balfour, Asquith and
Northbrook; R. E. Prothero lord
Errle), Joseph Chamberlain and Win
ston Churchill; military leaders like
Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, Field
Marshal Lord Roberts. Field Marshal
Sir John French and Cen Sir Ian
Hamilton; literary men like Ssme Ed
mund Gosse and J. A. Spender. and
many other leading figures of the day.
The letter written by John Churchill,
first Duke of Marlborough. on the
morning after the battle of Families. it
is pointed out, was written to the
duchess. and not to the Queen, though
not an act of disrespect on the part of
the duke but rather because of the
desire that his wife should share in his
victories and have the honor of an
nouncing them to their sovereign
Marlborough's soldiers. who adored
him, called him Corporal john" or,
with even more affection. the "Old
Corporal" Successful as was the feint
which paved the way for the success at
Families. his personal leadership was
needed to make the victory certain.
ENDORSED during the battle, he was
nearly CAPTURED. An aide. holding his
stirrup as he remounted, was shot
down. Once again in the saddle. he
rallied his forces, who had been stunned
by the onslaught of the French, and,
driving them back until they were COM
pletely routed, won the day.
Helped Save America.
Across the sea in the same year as a
part Of the same war, the French and
Spanish were defeated in Carolina.
Families helped to save America to the
English
Marlborough's letter, now here, reads
as follows:
Monday. May "a. II O'Clock.
Il did not tell my dearest soul in my
Ao%Se hA1O NCSA6l 4Ioo VI cI1SdSnlS LIE
enemy. If possible, to a battle, fearing
the concern she has for me might make
her uneasy. But I can now give her
the satisfaction of letting her know
that on Sunday last we fought. and
that God Almighty has been pleased to
give us a victory
II must leave the particulars to this
bearer. Col. Richards, for having been
on horseback all Sunday and after the
battle marching all night, my head
aches to that degree that it is very
uneasy for me to write. Poor Bing-
field, holding my stirrup for me and
helping me on horseback, was killed. I
am told that he leaves his wife and
mother in a poor condition. I can't
write to any of my children, so that
you will let them know that I am well,
and that I desire they will thank God
Tor His preserving me. And pray give
my duty to the Queen. and let her know
the truth Of my heart, that the great
est pleasure have in this success is
that 1t may be a. great service to her
affairs, for I am sincerely sensible of all
her goodness to me and mine. PRAY
believe me when I assure you that I
love you more than can express"
The letter written by Queen Victoria
to Frances Anne, Duchess of Marl-
borough, is dated April 10, 1880. and
expresses the deep gratitude of the
queen for the part the duchess had
PLAYED in ameliorating the lot of the
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