| Description | Letter written on headed notepaper of the Borough of Birmingham Mayor's Office, dated 7 October and marked 'Private'. Chamberlain sends his sympathy on Duignan's loss and goes on to note the recent death of Lady Dilke. He does not understand the reaction to his statement in the 'so-called Liberal Press' and expresses his wish for a radical daily paper. Referring to Duignan's letter, he writes: 'I do not think there is the least chance of my being offered either a Knighthood or Baronetcy'. He goes on to say that in any case he would not accept: 'I have expressed myself frequently against hereditary honours & could not honourably belie my opinions. Besides, on private grounds [...] I should not like to leave a baronet behind me dependent on business for the wherewithal to support the title'. |