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On his embossed letterhead bearing his Coat of Arms displaying the Lion of Judah holding a “Jerusalem” banner, Sir Moses Montefiore thanks the Editor of “The Times” of London for complying with his request.
3rd Person Autograph Letter Signed “Sir Moses Montefiore,” one page, 4.25” x 7”. Grosvenor Gate Park Lane [London], May 3, 1847. To the Editor of “The Times” of London. On his personal stationery embossed with his coat of arms. Faint paper clip toning at top. On watermarked laid paper. Fine condition.
In full, “Sir Moses Montefiore presents his Compliments to the Editor of the Times and begs to tender him, his best thanks, for the kind and prompt manner with which he was so good as to comply with his request.”
Moses Montefiore was knighted by Queen Victoria when she ascended the throne in 1837. She later honored Sir Moses by giving him the privilege of adding supporters (heraldic animals) to his coat of arms. He added the Lion of Judah holding a banner bearing the word “Jerusalem” in Hebrew letters to his arms. He visited the Holy Land seven times between 1827 and 1875 when he was 91.
John Thadeus Delane (1817-1879) was Editor of “The Times” from 1841-1877. He was an intimate friend of the Rothschild family and a constant and welcome visitor to their houses.
From “Sir Moses Montefiore: A Centennial Biography” by Lucien Wolf (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885 ): “On the 25th June, 1846, Sir Robert Peel was defeated on the Irish Coercion Bill, and two days later his Ministry resigned. The hopes of the Jews rose high when Lord John Russell, the author of the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, and a prominent sympathizer with the cause of Jewish emancipation, was invited by the Queen to form a new administration. At the very first meeting of the 1846-47 session of the Board of Deputies, Sir Moses Montefiore, who enjoyed the personal friendship of the new Premier, promised to use his influence to obtain the repeal of the remaining disabilities. Unfortunately other urgent political questions so completely absorbed the time of the new Ministry that they were unable to give any immediate attention to the Jewish question.
On May 22d, 1847, however, Parliament was dissolved, and at the general election which followed, Baron Lionel de Rothschild was elected one of the members for the City of London. Being unable to take his seat in consequence of the obnoxious wording of the oath, the Government were forced to take action in accordance with their wellknown proclivities.On the 16th December Lord John Russell, in an able and exhaustive speech, moved in the House of Commons, ‘That this House resolve itself into a Committee on the Removal of Civil and Religions Disabilities affecting Her Majesty’s Jewish subjects.’ An interesting debate ensued, and the motion was carried by 256 to 186 votes. A Bill was introduced on the 20th December ... The Bill was passed; but on reaching the Lords it shared the fate of its predecessors and was defeated by 163 to 128 votes. Baron de Rothschild hereupon resigned his seat.”
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http://universityarchives.com/
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