WILBERFORCE WILLIAM: (1759-1833) British Philanthropist and Politician, a leader of the movement to abolish the ...

WILBERFORCE WILLIAM: (1759-1833) British Philanthropist and Politician, a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A.L.S., W Wilberforce, two pages, 4to, Barham Court, 11th July 1808, to [Maurice FitzGerald] The Knight of Kerry in Dublin. Wilberforce writes concerning his correspondent's application to belong to a Society and explains that the papers should be returned to Revd. William Beloe in London. Wilberforce further adds that he has a personal interest in FitzGerald's application ('partly because I wish to be the instrument of adding to the Society such a member [as] yourself and partly be[cause] it may increase my chances of seeing you' and encourages FitzGerald to return the papers to Beloe promptly as otherwise it may be too late, advising 'Those admitted afterwards must run the risk of a ballot'. With an address panel and red wax seal to the verso. With extensive age wear, tears, some holes and rubbing at the folds and with a large area of paper loss affecting a portion of the text. P £120-180 Maurice FitzGerald (1774-1849) 18th Knight of Kerry. Irish Politician. William Beloe (1756-1817) English Divine & Writer.