HUGH CHILDERS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/30/1885 - HFSID 17775

HUGH CHILDERS
As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he writes impatiently about scheduling a date to discuss the Navy Estimates.
Autograph Letter signed: "Hugh Childers" as Chancellor of the Exchequer, 2 pages, 4¾x7½. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, 1885 January 30. To "My dear Birney", in full: "Lord Northbrooke's secretary wrote 2 or 3 days ago to Hubbard's, that you were about to write to me about the day for our consideration of the main points of the Navy Estimates. I have heard nothing from you & time is slipping on. Yours very truly". Hugh C. E. Childers (1827-1896) moved to Australia in 1850, serving the government there as an inspector of schools, immigration agent, and then as the first Vice Chancellor of the new University of Melbourne (1853-1857). Returning to his native England, he was elected to Parliament on the Liberal ticket in 1860. Under Prime Minister Gladstone, he served in four Cabinet posts: First Lord of the Admiralty, Secretary for War, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1882-1885) and Home Secretary (1886). His career was not free of failures. As First Lord, he pushed for construction of HMS Captain, against the advice of his engineering advisors. The ship sank, claiming the life of Childers' son - among many - soon after launch. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he offered increased income taxes as a remedy for a budget deficit, triggering the fall of the Gladstone government. After leaving Parliament in 1892, he chaired the Childers Commission, whose conclusion that Ireland was overtaxed relative to the rest of the United Kingdom would be cited often by Irish nationalists. Normal mailing folds. Creased and toned. Light adhesive residue on verso (last page). Ink note (unknown hand) on verso. Otherwise, fine condition.