SIGNATURE OF SIR ISAAC HEARD, GARTER, ON CARD OF ADMISSION TO THE FUNERAL OF WILLIAM PITT 1806.
Here is a letter written by him thirty-three years later, after his return to office on the resignation of Addington. It shows conclusively that his share in helping the Fatherland to weather the storm was physical as well as moral:—
William Pitt in Downing Street to Lieut.-Colonel Dillon of Walmer.
Downing Street, September 1, 1804.
My dear Sir,—As the Harvest is now nearly over, I imagine this would be a very fitting time for proposing to assemble your Battalion on permanent duty; and there seems chance enough of the occasion arriving for actual Service, to make it desirable that there should be as little delay as possible. Lord Carrington has gone to Deal Castle to-day, and if you can contrive to see him tomorrow, or next day, I shall be glad if you will settle with him the necessary arrangements. I think the time should not be less than Three weeks, and in that case, an extra allowance will be made of a guinea pr Man, which added to the usual pay will amount to 2s pr day for the whole period. This will enable us to give the men full compensation for at least six or seven hours a day, on an average; and will therefore allow of three or four long Field Days in each week, and only short drills in the remaining days; and such arrangement would, I think, answer every purpose. I should hope you might fix the commencement of permanent duty for Monday fortnight, very soon after which day I hope to come to Walmer to make some stay. I shall be at Dover on Tuesday next for a day, but have some business which will carry me from thence along the Coast, and probably back to town before I reach Walmer.
Believe me, my dear Sir, yours very sincerely,
W. Pitt.
In June, 1909, an extraordinary series of letters by Pitt, Burke, and others was offered for sale. They were manifestly of supreme importance to the history of England during one of her most terrible political crises. I am glad to say certain steps were taken which led to the issue of the following notice:—
SALE OF AUTOGRAPH LETTERS,
June 9th and 10th.