“I really thus pen his almost exact words as due to Hill, and because they much impressed me. And you know Sir Francis is not a man of many words, or, in manner, of overflowing heart. . . . He considers that at Hill’s age, and considering the immense benefits his country has derived at his hands, a retiring pension on full salary only would be a ‘mockery’ (Sir Francis’s own expression); and he considers that either his bare official pension, or, say £1000 per annum, might be asked of Gladstone, with a grant of a proper sum as a public reward or a just gift to him. We talked awhile on the amount of that sum.
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“But we both thought the figure an after consideration. He said the pressure of the proposed deputation to Gladstone must be placed on Mr. Gladstone, as all Chancellors of the Exchequer naturally were given to be scared when such exceptional claims were made on the public’s purse. But he spoke highly of Gladstone’s generosity of mind as a public and private man; and he said he was certain the Chancellor of the Exchequer would be sincerely glad to give full consideration to Hill’s most peculiar case and public claims, and to do all in his power officially, and within his public duty. Sir Francis mentioned the Times article among others as particularly useful, and as having placed Hill’s services on the proper and full basis. He did not know of the Birmingham statue meeting, and was much struck by the fact. I send you my Birmingham Daily Post with the report, and the deputation should be armed with it to show Mr. Gladstone.
“Sir Francis thought no two better men than Mr. W. Patten and Moffatt could be selected as his colleagues; Moffatt also having been an original strong promoter of Hill’s postal reforms and early movement.
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“It is no question of what Hill’s pecuniary private position may or may not be. It is simply the appreciation of his singular services to his country, and the gains of his countrymen by his mind and labours—of the unquestionable success of his plans of postal reform—of the vast beneficial results.
“I will only add that I cannot sufficiently appreciate Sir Francis Baring’s kind and earnest interest in your good object.
“Truly yours,
“Joseph Parkes.
“P.S.—I will only repeat that Sir Francis was decided that Mr. Gladstone should be seen at once, and before the Treasury decide on Hill’s retiring pension, and that Gladstone, by such a deputation, must be backed up to a full act of justice. Sir Francis said he was confident Lord Palmerston would agree to any course Gladstone approves.
“The proper decision would be to give Hill the full salary as retiring pension, and the sum of money. But we shall see how matters work as they progress.”