Scope and Contents Letter from F H Lambert, vice president of the Cardiff Free Trade League and the Penarth Free Trade League (West House, Penarth, [Glamorgan], Wales), to WSC commiserating with him on his lapse of memory in the House of Commons on the previous night [whilst speaking in the debate on the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Bill] and deploring the general ignorance about Free Trade in his (Lambert's) locality. This situation will be remedied only by Joseph Chamberlain's specific determination to tax...

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Letter from WSC (105 Mount Street) to David Thomas expressing surprise at Thomas's opposition to the candature of Ivor Guest's [later Lord Ashby St Ledgers and Lord Wimborne (2nd baron, 1st viscount)] for Cardiff [Wales] in view of the fact that Guest is more "advanced" in his views than WSC, to whom Thomas has pledged his full support. Urges Thomas to put aside personal considerations and support Guest for the sake of the cause of Free Trade. MS copy in WSC's hand.

Scope and Contents Letter from David Thomas (House of Commons) to WSC explaining that his support for WSC's possible candidature for Cardiff [Wales] was based on the belief that WSC was prepared to come fully over to the Liberal side, but Thomas has been disappointed by WSC's attitude to such issues as Irish Home Rule, disestablishment of the English Church, and reform of the House of Lords. Neither is Ivor Guest [later Lord Ashby St Ledgers and Lord Wimborne (2nd baron, 1st viscount)] radical enough for...

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Letter from J Last (Curriers Lane, Princess Street, Ipswich, [Suffolk]) to WSC thanking him, as a working man, for his efforts in favour of "free food" and attacking Joseph Chamberlain's policies and rich capitalists who underpay their workers. Asserts that the inability of working-class people to afford decent food is the reason for the large number of undersized recruits rejected by the military authorities.

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Resolution in favour of "Free Trade, Peace, Retrenchment and Reform" recommended by the committee of the Cobden Club to meetings held to celebrate the centenary of Richard Cobden's birth. Sent with CHAR 2/17/55 Typescript.

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Cutting from the Wolverhampton Express and Star: letter from "A.S." quoting passages favourable to imperial preference from a speech given by WSC at Wednesbury [Staffordshire] in 1901 and accusing him of inconsistency. See also CHAR 2/17/59.

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Letter from George E Johnson, secretary and registration agent of the West Wolverhampton Conservative Association, (33 Queen Street, Wolverhampton, [Staffordshire]) to WSC asking him to explain why his views on trade have changed since his speech at Wednesbury [Staffordshire] in 1901 in favour of imperial preference. Newspaper cutting affixed. See also CHAR 2/17/58 above.

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Letter from WSC (105 Mount Street) to George Johnson [secretary and registration agent of the West Wolverhampton Conservataive Association] explaining that after approaching the trade question with an open mind he had concluded by the autumn of 1902 that Protectionism was unsound. MS draft in WSC's hand. Annotated: "keep, I have sent answer".

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Letter from William Robinson (154 New Hall Lane, Preston, [Lancashire]) to WSC (House of Commons) describing how he was forced out of his editorial posts at the Preston Herald and the Darwen Gazette by local Tory leaders, who objected to his support of Free Trade, and soliciting WSC's help in securing a post with a liberal paper. Annotated by WSC: "I will dictate a reply".

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Letter from WSC to Sydney Phillips, secretary of the Riverside Conservative Club, Cardiff [Wales], pointing out that he joined the Club by invitation and stating that he will not complain if the Club's actions confirm his contention that all those who oppose Protectionism will be driven out of the Conservative Party. Copy in the hand of Annette Anning. Annotated in shorthand.

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Letter from James W Southern (Beechwood, Marple, [Lancashire]) to WSC discussing a letter on Protectionism and other matters and referring to imputations of insincerity [?against WSC].

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Letter from Alexander Murray, the Master of Elibank [later Lord Murray of Elibank] (House of Commons Library), to WSC asking him to address a Free Trade meeting at Peebles [Scotland] and noting the prevalence of Protectionism among the woollen manufacturers of the Border towns.

Scope and Contents Letter from 2nd Lord Tweedmouth (Guisachan, Beauly, [Inverness-shire, Scotland]) to WSC reporting the terminal illness of Fanny, Lady Tweedmouth [earlier Lady Fanny Churchill and Lady Fanny Marjoribanks] and discussing WSC's forthcoming meetings in Scotland and advising him, with reference to David Lloyd-George's proposed accommodation between the Liberals and the Unionist Free Traders, to "make your little party one of young Liberals" and to avoid excessive attacks on "our own molluscs on...

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Letter from WSC (105 Mount Street) to Robert H Fleming advising the Unionist Free Traders of North-East Lanark [Scotland] to vote for Free Trade candidates even though they (the candidates) are also in favour of Irish Home Rule. 2 copies, one in the hand of WSC, the other in typescript.

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Letter from F G Stokes (6 Sandwell Mansions, West Hampstead, [London]) to WSC asking for advice in countering the Protectionist argument that the price of bread was not lowered by the abolition of the Corn Laws.

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Letter from the Free Trade Union (8 Victoria Street, Westminster, [London]) to WSC (105 Mount Street) on the effect of the abolition of the Corn Laws on the price of flour and bread.

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Letter from F G Stokes (6 Sandwell Mansions, West Hampstead, [London]; notepaper of the Grand Axen-Fels Hotel, Vierwaldstattersee, [Switzerland]) to WSC discussing the effect on bread prices of the abolition of the Corn Laws and attacking the idea of a self-sufficient British Empire.

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Letter from F Bebbington (40 St George's Road, Wimbledon, [Surrey]) on the formation of Free Trade Clubs at a national level and in Wimbledon. Describes the political situation there and invites WSC to come and address a meeting. See CHAR 2/18/59.

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Letter from Charles Trevelyan (Cambo, Northumberland) to WSC discussing what should be the Liberal approach to devolution for Ireland, Scotland and Wales, reform of the House of Lords, the alternative to Protection, colonial policy and other issues.

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Printed manifesto of the National Free Trade Club. Annotated in shorthand Originally sent with CHAR 2/18/29^.

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Letter from Lord Hugh Cecil [later Lord Quickswood] (Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire) to WSC discussing the feasibility of establishing a new Free Trade newspaper to replace the Standard.

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Letter from Sidney Low (2 Durham Place, Chelsea, [London]) to WSC reporting that the new owners of the Standard have given him freedom to write on anything except the fiscal question and Joseph Chamberlain, and wondering whether the Liberals can "let the whole Press gradually pass under the control of a great Chamberlainized trust.".

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Letter from William George Finch (Orchardscroft, Battle, [Sussex]) to WSC asking whether statistics can be furnished to prove that neither Free Trade nor Protection can arrest England's decline.

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Letter from J Moore Bayley (47 Temple Row, Birmingham) to WSC on letters relating to Lord Randolph Churchill's connection with Birmingham, WSC's criticism in the press of C Arthur Pearson, and the insufficient activity of local Free Trade Unionists.

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Letter from Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman (Belmont Castle, Meigle, [Perthshire], Scotland) to WSC summarising the content of a forthcoming speech on Free Trade and the fiscal question.