['one of the Two Best Read Men in England': Abraham Hayward, author and translator.] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir George Cornewall Lewis, regarding a memorandum to be published in The Times regarding a legal action with W. B. Ferrand.

The interesting context of the present item is explained in a quotation from Antony Chessell’s 2009 biography of Hayward (subtitled ‘one of the Two Best Read Men in England’ - the other was Macaulay) subjoined to this entry. See also the entries for Hayward and Lewis in the Oxford DNB. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Sixty lines of text. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Addressed to ‘My dear Lewis’ and signed ‘A. Hayward’. He begins by expressing regret that ‘any misapprehension has arisen from the introduction of Sir J Graham’s name in the Memorandum. It certainly was not our intention to reiterate or revive, directly or indirectly, any charge against anyone. Sir R. Peel, Sir J. Walsham & Mr [Nott?] were involved in the charges as well as Sir J. Graham and yourself, but, as you are the sole prosecutor, we [?] to confine the arrangement exclusively to you.’ He continues on the same theme, with reference to ‘Sir F. Thesiger’, ‘Charles Greville’, ‘the Adjutant General (Macdonald)’, ‘Lord John Manners’. Postscript: ‘I told you that Ferrand expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and that there is not the remotest chance of his reviving the matter.’ The subject of the letter is Tory MP William Busfeild Ferrand (1809-1889). Chessell explains: ‘Two letters by Ferrand in The Times in August 1844 accused Sir James Graham (Home Secretary under Sir Robert Peel from 1841 until 1846) and George Lewis, of conspiring to produce a false report designed to discredit him, as chairman of the Keighley Board of Guardians. This prompted Lewis to consider legal action but many other matters intervened and the final incentive to do so was only triggered in 1847. / ‘The Queen v. Ferrand Esq., M.P.,’ was due to be heard in the Hilary Term (between January and March, 1847), but the trial was delayed to await Ferrand’s plea. In response Lewis denied any conspiracy between himself and Graham. Abraham Hayward, who was not part of Lewis’s legal team, then acted as an intermediary in persuading Ferrand to retract his letters. With Hayward acting for Lewis and Lord John Manners acting for Ferrand, a statement was inserted in The Times on November 18th 1847 to include a formal memorandum in which Mr. Ferrand recognised that he had acted in haste and expressed regret that he had done so.’