Letters from George Douglas Campbell, 1847-1867.

Twelve letters, one in the hand of Elizabeth duchess of Argyll, the remainder in the hand of George Douglas Campbell, 7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll, her husband.

[The recipient is rarely stated but the nature of the contents suggests that they were mostly directed to James Loch (1780-1855), a specialist in Scottish estate management].

ms1406: Autograph letter signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll] to James Loch MP concerning the post of factor of Kintyre [Argyllshire]. Signed Argyll. Ardencaple, 18 January 1848. (2pp + address page).

ms1407: Autograph letter signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll], suggesting an estate post in Scotland at 400 p.a. for a Mr Macleay, or 'if he prefers an Irish agency at 500 with the privilege of being shot at then he must take his chance'. Signed Argyll. Roseneath, 1 February 1848. (4pp).

ms1408 Rosneath 8 February 1848 (8pp) and ms1409 Rosneath 21 February 1848 (4pp) concern questions over Macleay's suitability for the post of factor. (See ms1407).

ms1410: Autograph letter signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll], concerning the distinction in assessment between England and Scotland of landed income for income tax purposes, and on the implications for those landlords who voluntarily relieve tenants of local burdens. (ms1412 also relates to this issue). Signed Argyll. Roseneath, 22 February 1848. (8pp).

ms1411: Autograph letter signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll], concerning the reorganisation of the responsibilities as factors of Lorne Campbell and Mr Robertson (cf ms1413). Signed Argyll. Roseneath, 26 February 1848. (3pp).

ms1412: Rosneath 28 February 1848 (6pp) See ms 1410.

ms1413: Rosneath 14 March 1848 (4pp). See ms1411.

ms1414: Autograph letter signed, Elizabeth [Georgiana Granville Leverson-Gower], duchess of Argyll, to Mr Loch. Lorne [Campbell] intends to support Mr Smollett, 'a Peelite'. The Queen [Victoria] is not now likely to delay the duchess's departure to Sutherland. Signed E Argyll. Ardencaple, 26 July [1847]. (3pp).

ms1415: Autograph letter signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll] concerning the analysis of nickel ore samples conducted by Dr Price, assistant to Dr Lyon Playfair of the Geological Museum. Signed Argyll. Roseneath 7 August 1851. (5pp).

ms1416: Autograph letter signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll] to Mr Loch, reporting an indignant letter from Mr Hughes of Liverpool concerning a dispute over the percentage of nickel in nickel ore sold by Argyll. Signed Argyll. 30 March 1865. (12pp).

ms1417: Autograph letter, signed, George Douglas Campbell [7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll] concerning the causes of crime and advocating 'improving the physical conditions on which mental and moral conditions so much depend'. Signed Argyll. Macharioch, Campbeltown, 20 September 1867. (3pp).

Elizabeth Granville Leverson-Gower (d.1878), daughter of the duke of Sutherland, duchess of Argyll on her marriage in 1844.

George Douglas Campbell, 7th earl and 8th duke of Argyll, politician and scientist. The earl of Argyll was one of the greatest landowners in Scotland, interested in improving his land but also promoted assisted emigration as an alternative to clearance to reduce the population of poor farmers and farm labourers on his land. He was president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, and chancellor of St Andrews University from 1851. The earl published treatises from an early age on political, ecclesiastical and scientific matters, disapproving of the disruption in the Church of Scotland but supporting the right to refuse lay patronage. He was active in politics, being a good orator, and served as Lord privy seal from 1852 under Lord Aberdeen and then Palmerston. He acted as secretary of state for India between 1868 and 1874, and briefly returned as Lord privy seal under Gladstone in 1880-1881 until he resigned over Irish land reform.

Chronological order.

By appointment with the Keeper of Manuscripts. Access to records containing confidential information may be restricted.

Purchased from Myers for two guineas, 20 February 1953

Call number used to be ms1406-ms1417

Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database.

Paper: from 23x18.2cm, folded, to 37.6x22.7cm folded.

Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Keeper of Manuscripts. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.

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