Copy of a letter from Spencer Compton Cavendish to Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne

SCC writes concerning Lansdowne's earlier letter and apologises for not replying sooner but wanted to "find more time to study the special branch of the Irish Question" to which his letter relates. He writes that he agrees with him that some measure of Home Rule is to be granted and that "an attempt ought to be made to settle the land question". He writes that if this happens then "the British taxpayer will have to make up his mind to pay the costs of the operation" however doubts whether the English people will do it. He writes concerning stopping of Imperial grants and that the Parnellites will refuse. He writes that he believes the best solution to be a "Home Rule scheme combined with a fair Land Purchase measure". He finally writes that once all the "political results" are fully understood then he fears "it will not be accepted by the English constituences" and that "Landlords may for some time longer have to bear the chief brunt of the fight for the maintenance of the Union". Sent from: Devonshire House, London.

Arranged in accordance with ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, Second Edition, Ottawa 2000 and The Devonshire Collection Cataloguing Guidelines.

Copyright held by Chatsworth House Trust.