Egerton to Buckingham
36 Curzon St
7 April 1868
My Lord Duke
I have the honor to enclose herewith a memorial on behalf of Mr C.W. Franks. Your Grace will I hope allow me to draw your attention to the fact that the gentlemen who have signed this document have all known Mr Franks more or less intimately during a long series of years. I believe that the memorial might have been more numerously signed, but it was thought better that those only should be asked to sign it who from personal acquaintance are best able to express a reliable opinion on Mr Franks' capacity & disposition.
Speaking for myself, & without impugning your Grace's recent decision, I can onlyManuscript image repeat that it is my conscientious belief that if Mr Franks is permanently excluded from the Government service, the Government would lose the services of a capable and intelligent public servant, & that I should be quite prepared, if it were possible, to accept any responsibility that might attach to his reinstatement.
Whatever be the result of the present application, for which we ask your Grace's favourable consideration, we think that it may be of service to Mr Franks, under present circumstances, & in view of the fact that there are no official accusations against him which he can openly meet, that some of those who think highly of him should state their opinions onManuscript image some permanent record that may be hereafter referred to.
As Lord Lyttelton has not yet returned from New Zealand I append a letter from him dated Dec 1/67 relating to the memorial.
I am Your Grace's
obedient Servant
Algernon Egerton
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Macdonald
Ld Lyttelton left England for N. Zealand on the 2d of Decr last.
He went by way of Panama.
WD 13/4/68
Manuscript image
And intends to return in May.
B&C 14/4
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Memorial in support of C.W. Franks, no date, six signatures.
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Charles W. Franks to Bryant, 12 May 1868, asking if he could have the memorial to take to Lord Lyttelton for signature.
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Blake
Memorial returned to Mr Franks.
HSB 12/5
Other documents included in the file
*
Manuscript image
Buckingham to Egerton, 14 April 1868, acknowledging receipt of letter and memorial.