Lodge and other writers doubt its genuineness. The author of the “Dictionary of National Biography” gives as reasons for doubting it, that Sir Joseph Williamson, to whom it was supposed to be addressed, was not made Secretary of State until 1674; that Anne died in 1675, and that there was no election between these dates; also, that it was not in the style of her correspondence, and the signature was unusual, because she always signed her titles in the order of creation—Pembroke, Dorset, and Montgomery—and not in the order of her two marriages. None of the critics, however, seem to have followed out the correspondence in the Domestic Series of “State Papers” at the Public Record Office, which, though it does not include the contested letter, yet illustrates it in a remarkable manner.
The Parliament elected in 1661, 13 Charles II., has been called “The Long or Pensionary Parliament,” lasting till 1678. (See “Parl. Returns,” vol. lxii., part i., p. 530.) John Lowther, Esq. of Hackthrop, and John Dalston, Esq. of Accornbank, were Burgesses for Appleby. John Lowther’s death necessitated a new election, and in January, 1667-8, there was great excitement in and about Appleby. From Anne’s position as High Sheriff of the County, she had the right to nominate a Candidate; from her great goodness and bounty to the place, the Corporation were willing to gratify her by electing whom she would. She determined to have one of her grandsons the Tuftons, sons of her daughter, Countess Thanet, four of whom were over 21, and in need of occupation. Failing them, she meant to have selected her kinsman, Anthony Lowther. But Joseph Williamson, Secretary to Lord Arlington, then Secretary of State, had set his heart on that seat, and by all means in his power, open and underhand, attempted to secure it. He was a native of those parts, and had friends and relatives there, who all bestirred themselves in his favour. Everybody “plied the Countess,” Williamson himself, his brother and friends, the neighbouring gentry, the Justices of the Peace, the Bishop of Winchester, Lord Arlington himself. Her replies at first were very kindly, but they gradually became more and more “definite.”
Anne’s first letter, explaining how her interest was engaged, dated Jan. 16th, 1667-8, was addressed to “Mr. Secretary Williamson at Whitehall,” showing that there is no weight in the argument as to Williamson’s appointment not taking place till 1674, as being Under-Secretary, he could be addressed so. Further, it is evident that the contested letter was not addressed to Williamson, but to Lord Arlington, about Williamson, though it may certainly have been re-addressed, and sent to him later, and may have been found among his papers.
To Lord Arlington on Jan. 17th, she writes, “Mr. Williamson, being of so eminent an ingenuity, cannot miss a Burgess-ship elsewhere.” On Jan. 25th, Arlington writes again to her on behalf of his Secretary. On Jan. 29th, George Williamson writes to his brother: “Unless the three Tuftons be taken off by Lady Thanet’s means, it is impossible for any man to oppose.... Dr. Smith fears the taking off of the old Lady, but if done, we shall be joyful.” Feb. 4th, Dan Fleming writes to Williamson about plying the Lady Pembroke: “If you cannot accomplish this, you should stay the Writ as long as you can, until you have a good account of your interest in Appleby.” The same day Dr. Smith wrote to Williamson telling him of his friend’s work: “The success of it will be seen by her answer to Lord Arlington, whereof she showed me a copy. I cannot see how it is possible to do any good unless her grandchildren be taken off.” George Williamson writes same date to his brother, that Lord Arlington had been urging Thomas Tufton to withdraw. “Neither Arlington nor the Bishop make any impression on the wilful Countess.” On Feb. 6th, Lord Arlington writes again, to whom Anne replies: “It was myself and neither my daughter of Thanet, nor any of my children, that made me attempt making one of her sons a Burgess for Appleby.” “If it should happen otherwise, I will submit with patience, but never yield my consent. I know very well how powerful a man a Secretary of State is throughout the King’s dominions, so am confident that by your Lordship’s favour and recommendation you might quickly help this Mr. Williamson to a Burgess-ship without doing wrong or discourtesy to a widow that wants but two years of fourscore, and to her grandchildren whose father and mother suffered as much in their worldly fortunes for the King, as most of his subjects did.”
One can see that the spirited old lady has been kindled to white heat, and that very little more would make her say something very like what has been preserved by Walpole.
As to her style, she employed a Secretary, Mr. Sedgwick. That Secretary was absent from Skipton Castle for a few days at this time. It is just possible that the young Candidate, Thomas Tufton himself, became her clerk on the occasion, and transmitted his grandmother’s words as he thought she said them, without anything of Sedgwick’s clerkly polish.
On Feb. 9th George Williamson writes to his brother, enclosing a letter from Dr. Smith, “If the town be left to their own freedom, your brother will carry it, but I doubt that the Countess will never let it come to that, being resolved to present one to them. If none of her grandchildren will accept, she will pitch upon Anthony Lowther. She has been heard to say that if they all refuse, she will stand for it herself, by which you may imagine what the issue is likely to be.”
Feb. 13th. Sir John Lowther to Williamson says, that he had taken off his kinsman from the candidature. “I believe that her Ladyship will prevail in her resolution with regard to her relatives,” “and will neither desire, seek, nor need, anybody’s help to make whom she desires.” I know this by a letter from the Mayor.
Feb. 23, Thomas Gabetis, Under-Sheriff, writes to Mr. Williamson, that he studied to serve him, but the Countess had planned otherwise. “The Corporation being disposed to gratify her for her great nobleness and bounty to the place. My station obligates me to render service with obedience to her commands, especially in this particular.”
Here comes the period at which the undated letter preserved by Walpole might well have been written. But between him and the printers it seems to have disappeared. There is no further letter now on the subject among the State Papers.