| Description | Photocopy of letter written from Highbury, Moor Green, Birmingham and dated 5 December, signed by Chamberlain although the text of the letter is in his secretary's hand.
It appears to relate to two unconnected matters. The first concerns 'the action of Revd Mr Martin' which he professes not to understand: 'it appears that all that was wanted from him was to give the name of the person who was the owner of the stolen bags' and adds that in his opinion it was not a case 'in which privilege could be pleaded'. On the second matter, Chamberlain agrees with his correspondent about the decision on the uniforms of volunteer chaplains: 'There seems no reason for change and I am at least so far a conservative that I do not recognise the advantage of change for which no good cause can be shown.' He ends with a reference to a successful meeting including 'our Bishop's speech'.
From the subject matter, it seems likely that Mr Ivens was a local clergyman, possibly William Edmunds Ivens who was the incumbent of St James, Edgbaston at this date. Stephen Henry Martin was curate of Immanuel Church, Birmingham and is possibly the 'Revd Mr Martin' referred to in the letter |
| Custodial History | The provenance of this letter is unknown. |