Edward N. Bomsey Autographs, Inc.

Pitt, William ("The Younger")
At 24, Britain's youngest, and one of Its greatest, Prime Ministers

Price:

$125.00

Description:
(1759-1806) Called "the Younger" (to distinguish him from his father who previously served as Prime Minister), youngest Prime Minister (1783-1801, during reign of George III) at age 24, helped define role of the PM (although term "Prime Minister" not then used) as supervisor and co-ordinator of various Government departments. First major legislation as PM was India Act 1784, which re-organized the British East India Company and kept watch over corruption. By Constitutional Act of 1791, province of Quebec was divided into separate provinces: predominantly French Lower Canada & predominantly English Upper Canada. By the Act of Union 1800 Great Britain and Ireland were formally united into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, compensation and patronage ensured support of the Irish Parliament. Tenure dominated by French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Left office 1801, but PM again 1804 until his death, also Chancellor of the Exchequer throughout his premiership. With the Whigs, Pitt denounced continuation of American War of Independence, as his father had, proposed PM Lord North, his political foe, make peace with the rebellious American colonies. Pitt sought European alliances to restrict French influence, forming 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Coalitions 1793, 1798, 1805, formed union with Ireland 1800-01. Pitt called himself an "independent Whig" and generally opposed development of strict partisan political system. While at Cambridge (at age 14), befriended the William Wilberforce, lifelong friend and political ally in Parliament. One of Pitt's most important accomplishments was rehabilitation of national finances after American War of Independence. Pitt helped Government manage mounting national debt, and made changes to the tax system to improve its efficiency. Other domestic plans were not as successful; he failed to secure parliamentary reform, Catholic Emancipation, or abolition of slave trade. Frameable 2 ½ x 4 ½ clipped close of ALS (“I am, dear sir, most obedient & faithful servant”) mounted on similar size/color piece

Condition: Very good, small piece torn from top left corner barely visible due to mounting
Type:Signature