WEDDERBURN (ALEXANDER, 1st BARON LOUGHBOROUGH) 1733-1805. Lord Chancellor. A.L.S. 4 pp. 4to. 8 Mar. 1796 to EDMUND BURKE (& endorsed by Burke) re his speech kindly referred to by Burke "not only affection but self Love would prompt me to mix my Name with yours...The attack was directed against Myself and I naturally placed before me the broad shield of your friendship...I lament that the allowance made to Hastings by the E.I. Company should have struck your eye in a different point of view from that in which It has met my Sight". Yesterday's motion by Lauderdale, advises him not to commit himself prematurely; "who can think now of Revolutions in Bengal 16 years ago, or be drawn from the awful contemplation of the Scene at present exhibited under our own eyes. This moment of our existence in the European World is too much charged with its Calamities, its Hopes & its Fears...My opinion with regard to Mr. Hastings stands recorded as well as yours & will pass to Posterity...I must allow a judgment of acquittall places His Case in a more favorable point of view than many then conscientiously believe. He has always behaved well" etc. Subscribed "Your very faithfull & affectionate Friend". A line against "a judgement" & following words, probably made by Burke (?).

(The chief of the Judges hostile to Hastings was Lord Loughborough who had to acquit him 4 1795. Burke was also hostile.)

(We purchased this from owner of family of French Laurence, who sold Burke letters in Sothebys in recent years for £1,000. These had always been in the family)