[William Wilberforce, abolitionist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Wilberforce') to Capt John Fortescue of Cookhill, defending his conduct in the face of what he considers to be the insane behaviour of Fortescue's brother-in-law, Rev. William Williams.

7pp., 4to. On two bifoliums. In good condition, lightly-aged. Autograph Note Signed from a Fortescue descendant on reverse of last leaf of second bifolium: 'This letter written to Capt Fortescue of Cookhill relate [sic] to a certain Revd Mr Williams who made a most unhappy marriage with his daughter [sic, for sister] Theodosia Fortescue - whom he ill treated all her life. | The Williams seems not only to have been a thorough scoundrel but also a revolutionary spy. | W Fortescue | 1885.' An extraordinary letter, in which an exasperated Wilberforce, writing despite the pain of failing eyesight, defends his conduct towards a man - Rev. William Williams - whom he considers in some degree insane, and whose actions in Canada he believes to have been 'treasonable'. Wilberforce's only connection with Williams, he states in the letter, consists in the fact that he appointed him to 'a small Situation in Canada'. While in Canada Williams had printed and sent to Wilberforce ('apparently with a view of Intimidation') an 'Address to the Soldiery' (not traced). Wilberforce begins the letter by apologising for the delayed reply, due to his absence from home: 'When at length I take my Pen in hand I scarce know what to say; for it would be too long a task (& I am sure it would be a painful one) to give you even briefly the History of Mr. Williams's Conduct towards me, & I feel a in addressing one so nearly connected with him, to speak of his conduct in the Language it deserves.' He stresses his forgiving nature, and desire to render Williams 'any real Service', but adds that he 'cannot help believing that a Degree of Insanity is at the Bottom the Cause of many of his Irregularities; This often exists, almost unsuspected, & produces Effects, which when it is indubitably ascertain'd we refer to it as their proper origin & natural Solution'. Should Fortescue come to town, Wilberforce will be happy to give him 'a Recital of particulars, & will give it you with Readiness, if you will do me the favor to call in <?> - Meanwhile I will only mention, what it may be a Comfort to your Daughter & yourself to know, that it was no imaginary misconduct of his that occasion'd my desiring he might be remov'd from a small Situation in Canada, to which he had been appointed at my Request, but his sending me (apparently with a view of Intimidation) an Address to the Soldiery, prompting them to rise, which if not treasonable in the Eye of the Law, was certainly so in <?> Consciental, & which he talk'd of circulating, & has since printed, but not dared to publish - need hardly justify to you my thinking it right to revoke a measure by which I had been instrumental in placing a person thus dispos'd in the Service of the Crown'. The second half of the letter relates to Williams's 'Ground of Anger' that Wilberforce is behind the departure of his wife and children from him, and his abuse of Wilberforce in the street, in the knowledge that he does not believe in duelling. 'This was abt. June last; I obtain'd a warrant, & he was apprehended a Day or two after; but made his Escape from the Constable who was conveying him to Bow Street, by jumping out of the Coach, & running off - Where he is now I know not, but I believe he has since been at Bristol'. He speculates regarding any 'Violence' Williams may have in mind against him, and asks Fortescue not to give any credence to any claims Williams may make about Wilberforce's views on religion, before concluding that he has been 'oblig'd to write in the utmost Haste on account of a Complaint in my Eyes, which renders the use of my pen painful to me, & makes me impatient to lay it down'. Despite his discomfort he pens a postscript, in which he offers to make enquiries regarding 'Mr Wms', 'as well as I can consistently with my numerous & pressing Engagements of Business at this period'. Few details regarding this case are available, although Mrs Williams, in correspondence in the Fortescue papers, refers to her marriage as a 'fatal indiscretion', stating in 1787 that her father is declining to send money for her children as a result of a standing argument with her husband, from whom she is separated. Four years later she states that she is 'still living at Evesham in a little Hut'. By 1820 she is complaining of the 'undutiful & disrespectful' conduct of her son, due to the fact that 'he cannot get into his hands the pittance my father left'. Mrs Williams's marble memorial tablet, in the Fortescue family chapel at Cookhill, stated pointedly that - rather than being buried with her husband - she had been 'interred with her ancestors in this Chapel', 'after a life of long & severe suffering'.?>