WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE COLLECTION
from Manchester Central Library

Part 1: Lydia Becker and the Manchester Society for Womens Suffrage

Part 2: The Papers of Millicent Garrett Fawcett - sections on Womens Suffrage, Education, Employment, Welfare, the First World War and other Womens Issues

Detailed Listing - Part 2

Reel 13

M50/2/1/1-180
Correspondence, Letters to Millicent Garrett Fawcett

1-5 Letters from Walter Morrison, MP for Plymouth

1 28 April 1871
About a conversation with Gladstone, at whose house he has left the memorial of 2,400 women. Has also delivered memorial to Disraeli.

2. 1 May 1871
Sends 3-4 below.

3. 29 April 1871
From Gladstone to Morrison. The Government should not take part in the political question of the disabilities of women.

4. 1 May 1871
Acknowledgement from WB Gurdon of memorial sent to Gladstone.

5. 1 May 1871
Acknowledgement from Montagu Corry of memorial sent to Disraeli.

6. 11 May 1872
From “A Follower of Christ and of Paul is apostle”. Tells Mrs Fawcett she would do better to read the Bible than the writings of JS Mill.

7. 28 December [c. 1880]
From Mentia Taylor [Mrs PA Taylor] of Brighton.
About the original Women’s Suffrage Committee in London.

8-9 Letters from Caroline A Biggs (dies 4 September 1888]

8. Friday [?]
About the beginnings of the Suffrage Societies, 1866-1868.

9. 21 February [c. 1881]
About the minute book of the London Committee of which she and Mrs Taylor were Secretaries. Three or four years ago, when the London Committee amalgamated with the Central [1877] it was returned to Berners Street.

10. From [Jessie] Boucherett 1883
Part of letter about the Parliamentary representation of Lincs, 1881, endorsed “Reply to Maxse”.

11-13 Letters from Lilias A[shworth] H[allett] of Bath

11. 23 December 1883
About the course to pursue next Session. The problem of the married women’s vote. “The only way to secure Chamberlain’s support is to show him it is his interest to give it and I fear we can’t do this!!”

12. 30 December 1883
Notes of H F [Henry Fawcett, who was blind [in Mrs Fawcett’s hand about the best course to pursue next Session toward the Government’s Franchise Bill. Suggests an “instruction” to the Committee to include women.

13. 7 January [1884]
From LA Hallett thanking the Fawcetts for Memo on tactics for next Session. Has shown it to Miss Becker and Miss Blackburn. Mr Mason has resigned from looking after their interests in the house. Suggests Mr Caine to replace him. He would have to drop his Breach of Promise Bill. Suggests other possibilities.

14. Letter from William T Stead of Pall Mall Gazette
31 December 1883
Asks Mrs Fawcett to write an article on the result of employing women in the Post Office and Telegraph Departments. Note by MGF says she replied saying she preferred to write on Women’s Suffrage and her article appeared on 14 January.

15. 2 January [1884]
Copy of Mrs Fawcett’s reply to above.

16. 17 January 1884
Cutting from Pall Mall Gazette of a letter from “A Good Liberal” about the Leeds Conference and women’s suffrage.

17. From Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Mrs Fawcett’s sister
17 January 1884
Skelton [her husband] is very angry at a letter in the P[all] M[all] G[azette], by “A Liberal delegate”.

18. 18 January [1884]
Draft from Mrs Fawcett to Skelton [Anderson] asking him to reply to allegation in the Pall Mall Gazette by “A Liberal Delegate” that only 200 out of 2,000 present at the Leeds Conference stayed to discuss women’s suffrage. Includes cutting of letter, 15 January.

19. From Lydia E Becker of Manchester National Society for Women’s Suffrage
18 January 1884
Thanks her for article in Pall Mall Gazette. Mr Symonds
will write to refute lies about the Liberal Conference in the Gazette. The Society suffered a defeat in Glasgow.

20. 19 January 1884
Cutting from Pall Mall Gazette of letter from Arthur G Symonds, Secretary of the National Reform Union, saying that half the delegates at the Leeds Conference attended the discussion on women’s suffrage.

21. 19 January [n d ?]
Copy letter from Mrs Fawcett [to the Pall Mall Gazette] complaining that her brother-in-law, JGS Anderson’s letter, refuting the statements of “A Liberal Delegate” have not appeared in the paper.

22. Telegram from Arthur Symonds of Manchester about the Leeds Conference.
21 January 1884

23. Telegram from Walter McLaren of Bradford about the Leeds Conference.

24. Letter from Henry Crosskey of Birmingham

21 January 1884

His version of the Leeds Conference and the vote in favour of women’s suffrage.

25. 22 January 1884
Cutting from Pall Mall Gazette of a letter from Jane Cobden, 21 January, refuting the suggestion that her father was against women’s suffrage.

26. Letter from William T Stead of the Pall Mall Gazette
22 January 1884
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her article, and refers to controversy over the Leeds Conference.

27. 23 January 1884
Cutting from Pall Mall Gazette letter from “A Good Liberal”, criticising women’s behaviour on public boards.

28. January [1884]
Cutting from the Pall Mall Gazette of letter from Eva M McLaren, 28 January, on Cobden’s views of women’s suffrage.

29. Letter from JS Anderson, Mrs Fawcett’s brother-in-law.
31 January 1884
His version of the Leeds vote on women’s suffrage. About the improved passenger communications with Australia. Would like Mr Giffen to review The Orient Guide by Mr Loftie.

30 No date.
Notes by Mrs Fawcett for a letter of speech on the Leeds Conference.

31. 1 February 1884
Extract of article in the Pall Mall Gazette by Mr Hare on women’s suffrage and the question of payment of MPs.

32. February [n.d.]
Newspaper cutting of a letter, 8 February from Isabella MS Tod, Hon. Sec. North of Ireland Women’s Suffrage Committee, about the Society’s attitude to giving married women the vote.

33. February [n.d.]
Cutting from the Eastbourne Courier, 13 February, about the Women’s Suffrage Journal.

34. 23 February 1884
Cutting from Pall Mall Gazette on “Mr Cobden and Women’s Suffrage”.

35-36 Letters from Joseph S Colmer, for the High Commissioner of Canada.

35. 26 February 1884
Will keep her informed of the progress of the Bill relating to the electoral franchise of Canada.

36. 19 June 1884
The Bill was not proceeded with.

37. March 1884
Copy letter from Helen P Bright Clark, MG Fawcett, Priscilla McLaren and Isabella MS Tod, to Mr Gladstone asking him to receive a deputation of Liberal women on the subject of women’s suffrage.

38. From E W Hamilton for WE Gladstone. Copy reply. 10 April 1884.

39 3 May 1884
Copy letter to Mrs Clarke in reply to a further letter.

40. Letter from Robert Hunter of GPO.
23 April 1884
About Acts of Parliament on voting in respect of joint occupation of property by husband and wife.

41. Letter from Mary Benson, wife of [Edward White Benson] Archbishop of Canterbury, [1883-1896]
4 April [n.d.]
Feels she cannot join in the monster petition though she agrees with its aims.

42-44 Letters to and from Admiral Frederick C Maxse of Eastbourne

42. 2 June 1884
Sends his pamphlet [M50/2/36/19] against women’s suffrage. Thinks the majority of women who ask for the vote are Liberal, but the majority of those who would get it are Conservative. Thinks there would be civil war if women were enfranchised.

43. 5 June 1884
Draft of Mrs Fawcett’s reply.

44. 8 June 1884
Reply from Admiral Maxse.

45. Letter from Jane E Harrison of London
7 June 1884
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her article. She has no interest in the vote and is relieved that she does not have it.

46. From Charles W D [Sir Charles Dilke]
No date [? ante 10 June 1884]
Cannot attend a meeting. Would not if he could. The Reform Bill will not do anything for women. The vast majority of both House and Country are against a change and it cannot be imposed.

47. From William Woodall [MP for Stoke-on-Trent]
10 June 1884
Mr Gladstone’s speech has frightened most of the Liberal adherents to women’s suffrage.

48 Post 7 June 1884
List of petitions in favour of women’s suffrage forwarded to MPs by the Irish Society for Women’s Suffrage. 1 April - 7 June.

49-50 Letters from H[arvey Goodwin], Bishop of Carlisle

49. 9 August 1881
To Emma. Would not like to write a leaflet on woman’s suffrage, but does not object to giving his opinion.

50. 25 August 1884
To Mrs Fawcett. Does not object to his views being published. [see M50/2/17/3].

51 Draft letter to The Standard, Morning Post & Morning Advertiser.
[June 1885]
Asks for their support, in the event of a Conservative government being formed, for the introduction of a Women’s Suffrage Bill enabling women householders to vote in the forthcoming general election. In the last session when Mr Woodall moved to include women householders in the Reform Bill, Mr Gladstone issued a five line whip and compelled 104 Liberals to vote against their declared convictions on the subject. Mr Woodall’s Bill stands no chance of being debated on 24 June.

52-54 Letters from GC Armstrong of The Globe.

52. 11 June 185
The Globe supports the extension of the suffrage to women householders, but feels it hopeless to do anything in the present Session

53-54 Sunday and 19 June [1885]

Thinks the time opportune for taking up the subject.

55-56 Letters from John and Sarah Short of Brighton.

55 3 October 1885
Asks for photos of herself, husband and daughter. Is in bad health and on short time. Miss the Professor’s advice over the election. Neither party is worthy of support.

56. 11 October 1885
“… We the Working Men Will not have the better times until We have a More honest and Consistent Class of Public men”. Advocates paid MPs and annual Parliaments. Has put notices advocating women’s suffrage all over the workshop.

57. From HC Richards of Brighton
12 October 1885
Asks Mrs Fawcett to speak in support of the Unionist candidate Mr Loder who supports women’s suffrage for the election of 23-25 October.

58. Draft letter from Mrs Fawcett to --
No date [ante December 1885]
Sends Appeal to the Electors, written by herself, for distribution at the Club, so that her late husband’s constituents [Hackney] may have the women’s suffrage question brought before them.

59. From —— of Hackney.
10 October 1885
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for letter and leaflets.

60. From John Butcher of Hackney.
No date [c. 1885]
Thanks for leaflets. Will distribute them at an election meeting.

61. From Clement K Shorter of Holloway.
2 November 1885
Thanks for Mrs Fawcett for agreeing to lecture to the Blenheim Road Working Men’s Club. Newspaper cutting on the meeting attached, with visiting card of Kynaston R Denham, Hon. Secretary, North St Pancras Liberal Association and Benjamin Clarke, General Editor of Sunday School Union, with comments on them by Mrs Fawcett.

62. No date
Draft letter to H Graham, Unionist candidate for North St Pancras.
Will speak in support of this candidature if he will support women’s suffrage.

63. 10 November 1885
Draft letter to all the London Con[servative] papers and the Times calling attention to a letter from Miss FP Cobbe to the Dames of the Primrose League.

64-65 Letters from FW Currey

64. No date [? February 1886]
Finds it difficult to understand Sir Henry James’s position [on 19 February 1886 Sir Henry James moved an adjournment of the bill introduced in 1884 by William Woodall, now under Mr Courtney]. Mrs Courtney is very bothered about him. “The Gladstonians are going to ‘take off their coats’ against the measure.”

65. No date
Is told that Sir Henry James says he will not vote against the Bill.

66-67 Letters from E Brodie Hoare, MP

66. 29 February 1888
Copy letter to FJ Dryhurst giving his objections to the extension of the franchise to women.

67. 19 March 1888
To Frederick Hill in the same vein. Cuttings on ill treatment of women by men and query by Mrs Fawcett as to whether Mr Hoare would deprive these men of the franchise.

68-69 [1885-1890]

68. Draft from Mrs Fawcett to Harry Quiller.
About publishing a list of ladies’ names in favour of women’s suffrage. Several ladies do not like their names to be associated with Lady Dilke.

69. 2 June
Reply saying Miss Becker’s list will appear as she sends it. Defends Lady Dilke.

70. 3 January 1889
Cutting from The Times of letter from Professor Goldwin Smith to a Conservative MP about the dangers of women’s suffrage.

71-72 4 January 1889
Cuttings from The Times of reply by Mrs Fawcett, 3 January, and article discussing this and Professor Smith’s letter.

73. 5 January 1889
cutting from The Times of letter from “An Englishwoman”, 4 January, against women’s suffrage and including a letter from John Bright to Theodore Stanton against it.

74. 7 January 1889
Cutting from Mrs Fawcett’s letter, 3 January, to The Times reprinted in The Northern Whig.

75. 7 January 1889
cutting from The Northern Whig of letter from Isabella MS Tod, 5 January, refuting Professor Smith’s views.

76-77 Letters from Eliza R Whiting of The Republican, Springfield, Mass., USA.

76. 9 January 1889
Asks for names and addresses of English papers which devote themselves to women’s affairs.

77. 20 February 1889
Answers queries about women’s suffrage in America.

78 From Thomas M Waller, Consul General of USA.
23 January 1889
Recommends writing to the Secretary of State, Lincoln, Nebraska, for information on women’s suffrage in that state.

79. From GL Laws, Secretary of State, Nebraska.
8 February 1889
Explains that the right to vote has never been extended to the women of Nebraska, except for school officers.

80. 25 February 1889
Cutting from The Times of a letter from Mrs Fawcett quoting 79 above.

81. No date
cutting from Woman’s Journal of article by ASB ([Alice Stone Blackwell] on Professor Smith’s views.

82. 10 April 1889
Cutting from The Times of letter by Professor Goldwin Smith, sending account of the suffrage movement in the USA.

83. No date

Poem “To a Male Scold” [Goldwin Smith]

84. 8 February 1890
Cutting from The Spectator on “Mr Goldwin Smith and Canada”.

85. Letter from Robert Wilson of London.
[June 1889]
Gives his impressions of speaker at the previous night’s meeting in St James’s Hall. Complimentary remarks on all except Mrs Scatcherd and Miss Muller.

86. 16 June 1889
About the same. Expounds further on his objections to Miss Muller’s tax-resisting views.

87. Letter from Kathleen Lyttleton of Cambridge.
17 August 1889
The editor of The Guardian will publish a signed article. Thinks much will be said by their opponents against the Women’s Franchise League.

88. Letter from Albert Rollit.
16 November 1889
Thinks “the matter” should be left in the hands of the Conference.

89. 19 November 1889
Notes by Mrs Fawcett on views of Lady Jersey on women’s suffrage, sent by Mrs Pereira.

90. November 1889
Draft letter from Mrs Fawcett to Lord Wolmer asking him to try and mitigate the hostility of the leading Liberal Unionists Mr Goschen and Lord Hartington, to women’s suffrage. The recent municipal elections in Edinburgh were fought entirely on political lines, the women voters coming out preponderantly on the Unionist side. The municipal representation for Edinburgh is equally divided between the two sides, whereas the Parliamentary representation is entirely by Home Rulers.

91. From Lord Wolmer of the Liberal Unionist Association [MP for Hampshire]
25 November 1889
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her letter of 20 November. He needs no conversion to women’s suffrage. Thinks Lord Hartington will be against any alteration in the present franchise.

92. Letter from E R Whiting of The Republican
19 January 1890
The petition for making Wyoming a state includes women’s suffrage in its constitution. If it is granted it will lead to women’s suffrage for the whole of USA.

93. From Elizabeth Cobb
26 February 1890
Mr McLaren has lost the place he had for [debating] Women’s Suffrage on March 4.

94. From R Lloyd Anstruther, MP [for Suffolk]
28 February 1890
Supports women’s suffrage for spinsters and widows only.

95. Letter from Earl of Campderdown.
10 March 1890
There is no chance of a Bill for women’s suffrage this Session. Regrets the “fall of John Moreley” over his education proposal.

96. From The Women’s Journal, Boston, USA.
17 July 1890
Invitation signed by Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, J W Higginson, William Lloyd Garrison, Francis J Garrison, Mary A Livermore, and Henry B Blackwell, asking Mrs Fawcett to attend the 40th anniversary of the first National Woman’s Rights Convention.

97. Copy letter to Charles A Cooper, editor of The Scotsman
28 July 1890
Asks him to press on Mr Goschen the importance of women’s suffrage to the Unionist case if granted before the next election.

98. 29 July 1890
Reply from Cooper.

99. From Eliza R Whiting of The Republican, Mass., USA
26 August 1890
Women’s suffrage has been included in the constitution of Wyoming.

100. From John E Gorst of the India Office [MP for Chatham]
20 November 1890
Will do all he can to help the Women’s Suffrage Bill.

101. From Lord Fielding [Rudolph Robert Basil Aloysius Augustine Fielding)
26 November 1890
To Mrs Shaw regretting that Mrs Fawcett declines to speak at Rugby. He is in favour of the extension of the franchise to single women and widows.

102. From Julia Ward Howe of Boston, USA.
26 December 1890
A new date for the Woman’s Suffrage Convention. Asks for a letter from Mrs Fawcett to be read at one of the meetings as she cannot attend in person.

103. Letter from Albert Rollit of Cottingham, Yorks [MP for Islington].
1891
Declines to lead the movement for women’s suffrage in the Commons.

104. From Earl of Rutland [John James Robert Manners]
19 January 1891
Feels it unwise for a minister and a peer to sign the Memorial to the Leader of the Commons.

105. No date
Draft letter to Lady Maude Wolmer saying she is going to write to W H Smith asking him to receive a small deputation after Easter and present him with a memorial asking him to keep the House sitting on 13 May, when the Women’s Disabilities Removal Bill is the first order of the day.

106-107 No date
Draft address to Lord [Salisbury] asking him to receive a memorial allowing the bill for the extension of the franchise to duly qualified women to the debated on 13 May.

108. From Schomberg K McDonnell for Lord Salisbury
7 February 1891
Refers them to Mr Smith [Leader of the Commons] as he cannot receive a deputation on a question concerning the arrangement of the time of the Commons.

109. From W H Smith, Leader of the Commons [first Lord of the Treasury, MP for Strand]
7 February 1891
Will receive the memorial, but after Easter he will be able to give an answer.

110. No date
Draft reply from Mrs Fawcett sending a printed list of those signing the memorial

111. 25 March 1891
Draft from Mrs Fawcett asking Smith to fix a day when he will receive the deputation

112. 28 March 1891
From CV Maude for Smith saying he will appoint a day to receive the deputation towards the end of April

113. 8 April 1891
Draft from Mrs Fawcett [to Smith?] asking for a meeting before 22 April

114. From Horace Plunket
13 April 1891
Sends pamphlets on women’s suffrage in Wyoming [M50/2/26/16 and M50/2/36/37]

115. Letter from RB Haldane, MP [for Haddingtonshire]
14 April 1891
The prospect of either of the Bills being discussed is remote as 13 May is likely to be a vacation day. If the Bills are withdrawn the question is a certainty on the 24th.

116. 20 April 1891
Notes for deputation to W H Smith.

117. 22 April 1891
Newspaper cuttings that the Commons would not be adjourned till after 13 May and therefore Mr Woodall’s measure would be likely to be voted on.

118. From K W Sheppard of Christchurch, New Zealand
22 April 1891
Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand is part of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.

119. 24 April 1891
Mr Samuel Smith, MP and Women’s Suffrage

120. Notes by Mrs Fawcett on above.

121-122 Letters from Lord Wolmer

121. 26 April 1891
Has heard a rumour that the government may give notice of a motion to take all the time of the house, thus placing 13 May out of the operation of the motion.

122. 27 April [1891]
The notice of motion will not be given till tomorrow evening.

123. Letter from Leonard Courtney [MP for Cornwall, Bodmin, Deputy Speaker]
27 April 1891
The Government cannot take 13 May without dishonour.

124. Letter from R Coleridge, for Colonel Jodrell
27 April [1891]
Colonel Jodrell is doing all in his power to prevent 13 May being taken.

125. 28 April [1891]
Draft from Mrs Fawcett to Mr Balfour asking for assurance that 13 May will be kept for the Women’s Suffrage Bill.

126. 28 April 1891
Telegram reply from Arthur Balfour.

127. Letter from Frances Balfour
28 April 1891
Salisbury has warned her that Smith will avoid keeping the 13th free if he can.

128. Letter from RB Haldane, MP
28 April 1891
Mr Smith tells him he hopes the 13th will be kept free.

129. Letter from Viscount Wolmer
29 April 1891
Believes Smith does not intend to take the 13th.

130. Letter from Francis Balfour
29 April 1891
Is writing to The Times under the name of GW Balfour, as she believes Smith will take the 13th

131. No date
Draft to W H Smith asking for assurance that the 13 May will be left for the Women’s Suffrage Bill, despite an announcement in the papers that the Irish Land Bill will have precedence.

132. Letter from L Courtney, MP
30 April 1891
The 13th is lost. The secret wishes of the Hose seem to be against them.

133. Letter from Viscount Wolmer
30 April 1891
Have been beaten by a combination of Gladstone, Sir Henry James and those Conservatives who are against women’s suffrage.

134. From Richard Temple, MP [for Worcestershire, South]
No date. About the same.

135. From E M [Emma Miller[ of Cambridge
1 May 1891
Disgust at the behaviour of WH Smith and the odious article in The Times.

136. From EC Jodrell of the Junior United Service Club, London
1 May 1891
Does not think Mr Smith or Mr Woodall can be blamed for the loss of the Bill. “The unfortunate split a year or so ago has greatly injured s ——” [December 1888 the Central Committee split into two, the Central Committee at Great College Street and the Central National Society at 29 Parliament Street. Also Women’s Franchise League formed, 1889].

137. Letter from Charles A Cooper of The Scotsman
2 May 1891
Mr Smith deeply regretted the division of the House on the suffrage question.

138 Letter from William Woodall of Burslem [MP for Hanley]
2 May 1891
The present House is obviously against women’s suffrage.

139. From Viscount Wolmer
3 May 1891
The Gladstonians will move further from women’s suffrage. They must try and gain the support of the Primrose League.

140. From E[mily] Davies
4 May 1891
Agrees with Mrs Courtney about inviting other people to meetings and treating them as allies, but fears combined action. Miss Courtney urges keeping Mrs Ashton Dilke out of sight while the others go out of their way to put her in the chair at their annual meeting.

141-145 Letters from Lil[ias] Ashworth Hallett]

141. May 1891
Reports a conversation with Lord Wolmer. Would like him to take over from Woodall, who has “repeatedly played us false”. Conservative Associations cannot be expected to support a Bill in Woodall’s hands. Proposes a private conference of herself and Mrs Fawcett with Wolmer and Balfour. Mrs Eva [McLaren] gushed with the Conference at Mrs Jacob Bright’s [Hon Secretary of Women’s Franchise League] and said that as Dr Pankhurst showed signs of his intention to boss the whole business they (the Parliament Street people) had backed out and declined further union.”

142. Wednesday
Can do nothing direct with Balfour till his Bill is through Committee. Hopes Mrs Fawcett will see Miss Balfour. Criticises Woodall.

143. No date
Is sick at heart by the proceedings of Parliament. Smith, Wolmer and Courtney did their best.

144. Sunday
Cannot account for some of the votes. Doubts the wisdom of co-operating in a demonstration with Parliament Street. A demonstration by Gladstonian women would be more effective that one including Unionist women. The Parliament St. people have made havoc of the cause over married women and their internal quarrels are continuous.

145. Thursday
Is glad Woodall has decided to abandon the Bill. They are now free to find another leader. Hopes for the best from Lord Wolmer.

146. Letter from Kate Courtney of the Women’s Liberal Unionist Association.
30 May 1891
Sends programme for a meeting. Hopes the Liberal Unionists will eventually all support women’s suffrage. Draft reply, 31 May. Will speak in a manner as inoffensive as possible to the opponents of women’s suffrage.

147-148 Letters from Margaret E Farrow, Hon Secretary, Birmingham Liberal Unionist Association.

147. 26 August 1891
Invitation to speak at annual meeting.

148. 21 September 1891
Hopes she will speak at a meeting in January instead of the annual meeting.

149. From Rich W Middleton of Conservative Central Office
30 November 1891
Favours Sir Algernon Borthwick [MP for Kensington, South] to lead the cause in the Commons.

150. 10 December 1891
Notes on choosing a new leading for the Bill.

151. 1 January 1892
Cutting from The Liberal Unionist of letter from Mrs Fawcett, 11 December 1891, criticising its attitude to women in politics.

152-154 Letters from Margaret Farrow, Birmingham Women’s Liberal Unionist Association

152. 11 January 1892
Asks Mrs Fawcett to avoid the topic of women’s suffrage at the meeting she will not hesitate to reply.

153. 12 January 1892
Reply. If anyone speaks against women’s suffrage at the meeting she will not hesitate to reply.

154. 14 January 1892
Reply from Mrs Farrow.

155. Letter from Lilian Chamberlain of Birmingham
17 January [1892 ?]
Regrets they have had to abandon the meeting for 20 January. Regrets that Mrs Farrow did not express herself clearly over the topic of women’s suffrage.

156. Post 23 February 1892
Note by Mrs Fawcett on the above correspondence with Mrs Farrow.

157. Letter from Leonard Courtney
16 January 1892
Has been asked to chair a meeting at Princes Hall on 25 February organised from Parliament Street. [Central National Society for Women’s Suffrage.] Would be tempted to preside if it were a general meeting in which Mrs Fawcett were involved.

158-159 Letters from A C Hall of The Croydon Review

158. 2 February 1892
Asks Mrs Fawcett to send an appeal to the members of the Croydon Church Institute to support women’s suffrage, to stimulate interest in a debate on it to be held in the Church Institute. [see also M50/2/26/41]

159. 5 February 1892
Thanks her for agreeing.

160. From Viscount Wolmer
5 February 1892
Is willing to support Sir Algernon Borthwick in the ballot for the Women’s Suffrage Bill, but has had no reply to his offer of help.

161. Letter from Richard W Middleton of the Conservative Central Office
6 February 1892
Advises that Sir A Borthwick write to twenty of his friends and ask them to ballot for the Bill.

162. February 1892
Draft from Mrs Fawcett to Sir Algernon Borthwick, asking him to get twenty to twenty-five of his friends to promise to ballot for the Bill. Lord Wolmer would help if he were asked.

163-164 Letters from Herbert W Paul of Chelsea.

163. 3 April [1892?]
Agrees with the extension of the municipal franchise to Parliamentary elections. Thinks the more extensive proposals of Mr Haldane bound to fail. Is worried about the position of lodgers who have no municipal votes.

164. 5 April [1892 ?]
Is quite prepared to defend the principle of Sir Albert Rollit’s Bill.

165. From WR Bousfield, QC, candidate in the North Hackney By-Election
5 May 1892
Gives his views on women’s suffrage and hopes she will consent to aid his candidature.

166. From Thomas Burt, MP [for Morpeth]
6 May 1892
Regrets he cannot accept a speaking invitation on 31 May because of the pressure of other business.

167. From Viscount Wolmer of the Liberal Unionist Association
6 May 1892
Asks for information on the dissensions among the Gladstone Women’s Association and the attitude of Liberal Unionist women generally towards the franchise question, for the Duke of Devonshire.

168. Letter from Eva McLaren of Westminster.
6 May 1892
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her kind appreciation of her services on the WLF Committee, coming as it did in the midst of criticism from friends and foes. Will speak at the meeting on 31 May.

169. From Eveline, [Countess of] Portsmouth of Wembworthy, Devon
7 May 1892
Gladly signs “the enclosed”.

170. From CP Vilhers, MP [for Wolverhampton, South]
7 May 1892
His health prevents him from promising to attend the suffrage meeting on 31 May.

171. Letter from Earl of Denbigh [Rudolph William Basil Fielding]
8 May 1892
Supports suffrage for women ratepayers, but is against universal female suffrage.

172. Letter from George Wyndham, MP [for Dover] to Lady Frances Balfour.
9 May 1892
Will attend meeting on 31st.

173. From WR Bousfield [MP for Hackney, North]
13 May 1892
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for helping at his election. Hopes to be able to help women’s suffrage.

174-175 Letters from Walter SB McLaren [MP for Cheshire, Crewe]

174. 20 May [1892?]
His wife [Eva], is prostrate with the work and worry of the past month.

175. 22 May 1892
His wife is no better and he asks that she be relieved from her promise to speak on 31 May.

176. Unsigned postcard to Mrs Bailey of Edgbaston
21 May 1892
Mr Kenrick [William Kenrick, MP for Birmingham, North] would have voted for the motion on women’s suffrage, but was out of town.

177. Letter from S W Heberden of London
3 June 1892
Sends copy of letter from [Sir Fred] Seager Hunt, MP [for Marylebone, West] explaining that he voted against the Female Franchise Bill because of the arguments used in the debate and at the meeting in St James’s Hall. Does not object to the vote, but does object to women having seats in Parliament.

178. Letter from John Murray
4 July 1892
Cannot purchase 1,000 pamphlets of WE Gladstone’s letter against Women’s Suffrage as they already have a sufficient stock.

179. From Viscount Wolmer [MP for Edinburgh, West].
8 November 1892
Can only take up the Bill if Mr Courtney is chairman of Committees.

180. From M Steadman Aldis of Auckland, new Zealand
29 November 1892
The Women’s Suffrage Bill has been rejected. Most of the women who work for it are rabid teetotallers.

REEL 14

M50/2/1/181-361
Correspondence. Letters to Millicent Garrett Fawcett

181. From H Byron Reed of Bradford, Yorkshire
9 December 1892
It is too late to put women’s suffrage on the agenda for the Sheffield meeting. If he gets back into Parliament he will support it.

182-184 Letters from Albert Rollit, MP [for Islington, South]

182. 9 December 1892
Feels it is undesirable to connect any subject of franchise with that of registration.

183. 15 December 1892
Cutting from The Bristol and Western Daily Press about Sir Albert Rollit’s resolution on registration at the National Union [Conservative] Conference at Sheffield.

184. 17 December 1892
Took the opportunity at Sheffield of complying with her request and introduced the female franchise on the subject of registration. It was well received.

185. Letter from Lil[as Ashworth Hallett]
December 1892
The Northampton meeting sounds like a great success. “What a strange thing about the new Mter Sec. … hope they will now appoint someone who is not a McLaren Nominee.”

186-188 Letters from Amy Dalay of the Women’s Franchise League, from Auckland, New Zealand.

186. 28 December 1892
About the progress of women’s suffrage in NZ. Sends 187-188 below.

187. 14 July 1892
Cutting from The Dunedin Evening Star.

188. 12 December 1892
Letter from H L N of Dunedin to Amy Dalay about Fish’s petition against the franchise, which was signed by mistake by many women.

189. Letter from Marion Hatton of Dunedin, New Zealand
3 January 1893
Asks for a copy of Mrs Fawcett’s paper on “suggested Amendments of the Criminal Law”. About the struggle against saloon keepers and merchants in the fight for women’s suffrage.

190. Letter from Leonard Courtney [MP for Cornwall, Bodmin]
27 January 1893
Does not think it a good idea to use Unionists only in an attempt to get a ballot

191. Letter from Walter SB McLaren, MP
27 January 1893
Circular inviting MPs to a meeting to consider steps to be taken to introduce a women’s suffrage bill, and to ballot for leave to bring in a Bill on 31 January. Endorsed by Mrs Fawcett that 13 or 14 members came to the meeting, all Unionists except McLaren and his brother Charles.

192. Letter from Lilias Ashworth Hallett
29 January 1893
Asks if Mrs Fawcett is going to the dinner to Lord Wolmer on 14th. They must not revive the Parliamentary Committee. Must get the leadership defined.

193. Letter from Viscount Wolmer, MP.
8 February 1893
The one man one vote Bill is the best opportunity of raising women’s suffrage this session.

194-195 Letter from Agnes L Brocklebank of Liverpool (and enclosure)
17 February 1893
Sends letter from GH Morrison of Liverpool, 16 February, about a meeting at which Mrs Fawcett is to speak. He hopes she will not bring up women’s suffrage at it as there will be enough excitement about Home Rule.

196. Letter from Lord Wolmer
23 February 1893
Mr Maclure [John William Maclure, MP for SE Lancashire, Stretford] has put down an amendment to the second reading of the Registration Bill embodying women’s suffrage, but this will probably be ruled out of order. Similarly the One Man One Vote Bill cannot be used.

197. From Leonard Courtney
26 February 1893
About the same.

198. From Lord Wolmer
11 March 1893
The Government of Ireland Bill Section 6 Subsection 3 is a clear case for a women’s suffrage amendment.

199. Letter from Mrs FW Sheppard of Christchurch, New Zealand
3 April 1893
About progress in New Zealand

200. From Marion Hatton, President of the Dunedin Women’s Franchise League, New Zealand.

201-202 Letters from Miss A Lister of Melbourne, Australia

201. 16 May 1893
Asks advice on forming a Suffrage Society in Melbourne.

202. 30 September 1893
The agitation over the Criminal Law Amendment Bill has roused women to the need for the vote.

203. From Lucy Stone of The Women’s Journal, Boston, USA
27 July 1893
She does not like to see Mrs Fawcett’s name connected with that of Mrs V Woodhull-Martin.

204. From K W Sheppard of Christchurch, New Zealand
4 October 1893
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for the help she has been in their successful struggle for the franchise.

205-210 Letters from Walter SB McLaren, MP

205. 21 November 1893
Every effort must be made to influence MPs on clause 31 [of the Local Government Bill] or on a new clause which the government will move.

206. 26 November 1893
Agrees with her draft letter.

207. 2 December 1893
Fowler’s amendment is to be put down for clause 31 and he will try and get it through in Committee.

208. 8 January 1894
They are going to carry the full clause about married women.

209. 11 January 1893
The position is desperate. Fowler has behaved badly and is going to accept Storey’s amendment to prevent “faggot voting”. [Henry Hartley Fowler, President of Local Government Board.]

210. 13 January 1894
Persuaded Fowler to accept another amendment in addition to Storey’s. About the debate in the House which saved the situation, but caused ill feeling.

211. No date
Amendments [to the Local Government Bill] of Henry H Fowler, Sir Francis Powell [MP for Wigan], Mr Storey [Samuel Storey, MP for Sunderlandshire] and Walter McLaren (printed).

212. From George Innes of Sydney, Australia
2 April 1984
Asks if she would like to meet Mrs Ballance, widow of the late Premier of New Zealand, who is visiting London. About the influence of the female vote on the New Zealand Parliament.

213. 5 April 1894
More about Mrs Balance, and his own interest in women’s suffrage.

214-215 Letters from Miss Caroline E Skinner of Torquay

214. 10 January 1906
She will have to withdraw from Women’s Suffrage Society if it does not disassociate itself from the actions of women [who interrupt political meetings [Women’s Social and Political Union].

215. 14 January 1906
Accepts Mrs Fawcett’s arguments and will stay in the Society.

216. Letter from Mary Ward of Cambridge
11 January 1906
Is glad Mrs Fawcett has disclaimed “responsibility of the suffrage societies generally for occasional local rioters”, by her letter to The Westminster Gazette

217. Letter from K Lyttleton of Bloomsbury
12 January [1906]
Unless the Tories and Liberals better themselves they will find woman’s suffrage brought in by the Labour party and women voting for it. Congratulates Mrs Fawcett on a letter.

218. Letter from W E Heitland of Cambridge
13 January 1906
Writes for his wife to thank Mrs Fawcett for her letter to The Morning Post.

219. Letter from William T Stead, editor of Review of Reviews
13 January 1906
Thanks her for her letter in The Westminster Gazette.

220. From —— of Plympton
14 January 1906
Congratulations on a letter in the W[estminster] G[azette].

221. Letters from JG Wright of Reigate
14 January 1906
Agrees with statement in the Westminster Gazette but admires the pluck of the suffragettes. Helen Blackburn [died 1903]. Thinks there should be a Social Secretary to show an interest in solitary members. Miss Palliser is conspicuously lacking in social amenities.

222-223 Letters from Isabella O Ford

222. 14 January 1906
Congratulations on Mrs Fawcett’s letter. Is campaigning with Philip Snowden among the factories of Blackburn.

223. 18 January [1906?]
Feels “disgusted with this hateful woman”

224. From “A Sheffield Woman and Suffragist” to The Manchester Guardian
15 January 1906
Criticises Mrs Fawcett’s letter to the Guardian and the interruption of speakers talking on another subject by questions about woman’s suffrage.

225. From Margaret Ashton of Didsbury, Manchester, President of Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Women’s Liberal Associations.
16 January 1906
Regrets Mrs Fawcett’s letter in the Daily News, 11 January. The North of England Suffrage Society and the Women’s Liberal Associations have condemned the action of “these few violent women who have injured the reputation of women politicians in Lancashire. The disturbances were not planned by working women, but by a small clique calling themselves the Votes for Women Election Committee, including Eva Gore Scoth, two Miss Pankhursts and other seceders from the North of England Suffrage Society, which disowns them.

226. Letter from May A Ewart of London
16 January 1906
About the forthcoming election. Mr Cowan the Liberal candidate for Surrey is in favour of women’s suffrage.

227. From Blanche A Smith of the Writer’s Club, London
19 January [1906]
Congratulations on letter in Westminster Gazette of 11 January.

228. 20 January 1906
Extract from The British Journal of Nursing on Mrs Fawcett’s letter, and the working women who interrupt political questions.

229. From George Meredith of Dorking
21 October 1906
Cannot quite excuse those suffragists who have given a weapon to their adversaries by their [militant] behaviour.

230. From Eva Gore Booth and Esther Roper of the Lancashire and Cheshire Women Textile and other Workers’ Representation Committee.
c.24 October 1906
Objects to Mrs Fawcett’s condoning the behaviour of the women’s protest in the House of Commons on the grounds that it is natural to working women. Working women are refusing to demonstrate because they do not wish to be held accountable for upper class women who kick, shriek, bite and spit and get involved in police struggles.

231. Letter from Walter SB McLaren
25 October 1906
Thinks the old suffrage societies should support “these plucky women”. Will support a Demonstration in their favour. By going to prison they have done more to make the suffrage a real live question than all the work of years has been able to do.

232. Letter from Elizabeth Robins of Kensington
27 October 1906
Expresses gratitude for Mrs Fawcett’s “generous treatment of women who, in ways you do not approve, are trying for the thing you have fought for by the dignified tactics that the world is forced to admire.” She, with Mrs Cobden Unwin, Mrs Despard, Miss S Pankurst and others were locked in a room at the magistrates court and not allowed into the hearing.

233. Letter from WT Stead, editor of The Review of Reviews
27 October 1906
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her letter to The Times. “Some of the newspapers seem to be edited by hooligans for hooligans”.

234. 27 October 1906
Reprint from The Times of Mrs Fawcett’s letter supporting the eleven imprisoned women. Cannot believe that Mrs Cobden Sanderson bit, scratched or screamed, or behaved otherwise than the refined lady she is, as stated by the press.

235-236 Letters from Beatrice Haraden of Hampstead

235. 27 October [1906 ?]
Thinks they should do something as a body for the prisoners.

236. 27 October 1906
Telegram thanking Mrs Fawcett for her letter to The Times.

237. Letter from Emily Hill of Wandsworth
28 October 1905
Congratulations on letter to The Times. Suggests a large meeting with Miss Alison Garland as speaker.

238. Letter from Celia Wray of Barnsley
28 October 1906
Mrs Fawcett’s letter should be published in leaflet form.

239-241 Letters from TJ Cobden-Sanderson of Hammersmith

239. 28 October 1906
Thanks her on behalf of his wife and the other women in prison or her letter to The Times.

240. 1 November 1906
About conditions in prison.

241. 4 November [1906]
Saw all the prisoners together yesterday and gave them the late Mrs McLaren’s message and told them of Mrs Fawcett’s desire to give a banquet in their honour on their release.

242. Letter from J A Spender of London
30 October 1906
Criticises the behaviour of the militant suffragists.

243. Letter from Annie Cobden-Sanderson
25 November 1906
Telegram announcing release of prisoners.

244. No date [ante 1 October 1907]
Points 3-8 of agreement with Francis [J Edward Francis] about running Women’s Franchise.

245. From HA Gwynne of The Standard to Mrs Lyttleton
13 May 1908
Thinks there should be an educational test for the right to vote.

246-248 Letters from her niece, LGA [Louisa Garrett Anderson]

246. 22 June 1908
Has been talking with Mrs Pethick Lawrence. Wishes the National Society would join in the next step. The WSPU are sending a resolution to Mr A [Asquith] and his reply will determine whether more militant action is pursued.

247. 24 June [1908 ?]
Feels that if the National Society cannot combine with the WSPU in bringing pressure on the Government they should not hinder them. Which by-election candidates are they supposed to support if they all declare in favour of women’s suffrage?

248. 25 June 1908
Thinks the National Union should join the WSPU if it cannot protest effectively constitutionally.

249. Letter from J Edward Francis of Women’s Franchise
17 July 1908
Before he drops Women’s Franchise as a paper representing the three societies he needs to be convinced that a paper representing the National Union alone will do more good.

250. Letter from Margery I Corbett
23 October 1908
Suggests Mrs Charles Hamilton [née Adamson] as a possible editor if they decide to have a Women’s Suffrage paper of their own.

251. 26 October 1908
Notes by Mrs Fawcett of a conversation with Mrs Herringham about Women’s Franchise.

252. 27 October 1908
Notes by C Herringham about Women’s Franchise.

253. From A Helen Ward to Miss Fawcett
31 October 1908
Asks if Mrs Fawcett would be prepared to be photographed for the new magazine the NUWSS is producing. Asks Miss Fawcett to appear on the contributors list.

254. Letter from Mrs M Winifred Ball of Hampstead
12 November 1908
Cannot see that resolutions 4 and 5 of last Tuesday’s annual meeting of the London Society for Women’s Suffrage, dealing solely with keeping the Society free from party bias had anything to do with “legal and constitutional action”. Asks if she knows that the offices of the NUWSS were used by the Women’s Liberal Federation on 20 July for a meeting in support of the Licensing Bill. Will the money received for this appear in the accounts as from a party organisation.

255. 14 November 1908
Copy reply. Would like proof and more details of the sue of NU offices by the Liberal Federation. There has been some confusion between Miss M Corbett, the NU Secretary and Miss Cecily Corbett, who has no official connection with the NU.

256. 16 November 1908
Reply from Mrs Ball giving details and complaining further of the apparent connection between the Liberal Party and the NU Executive.

257. Letter from Ethel Snowden, wife of Philip Snowden in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
30 November 1908
About her speaking campaign in the US. Has spoken three times a week for eighteen months.

258. No date
Newspaper cutting on Mrs Snowden’s lectures.

259-265 Letters from HM Swanwick, Hon. Secretary of the North of England Society for Women’s Suffrage

259. 14 December 1908
Suggests running a women’s paper from Manchester if the Women’s Franchise is given up. The Manchester Guardian is willing to help.

260. 15 December 1908
Miss Ashton is anxious that the question of the paper should not be settled to hurriedly. It is useless to run a paper by a committee.
Suggests The Interpreter as its title.

261. 22 December 1908
Details of cost of a paper as advice by CP Scott of the Manchester Guardian.

262. Recommendations for a New Paper Proposed by the North of England Society for Women’s Suffrage

263. 13 January 1909
Fears that most of the delegates out of London to the Council meeting on Tuesday will be “woefully in the dark as to what has been done about the paper”.

264. 12 January 1909
Notes by Mrs Fawcett on the newspaper question.

265. 25 January 1909
If Council think that the projected Company should not employ a member of the NU Executive as Editor she will resign, until Mr Francis ceases to publish Women’s Franchise.

266. Letter from A L Leon of London
30 January 1909
Wonders if lodgers are regarded as occupiers. Criticises these mad suffragettes.

267. From Johanna Blauenfeldt of Jutland, Denmark.
31 January 1909
About her attempts to win over Christians to the idea of women’s suffrage. Reports criticisms by a London lady of the suffragists for holding meetings on Sundays and behaving unwomanly and unchristian-like.

268. Letter from Constance Lytton of Knebworth, Hertfordshire.
1 February 1909
Is sending a manuscript of a pamphlet on woman’s suffrage that she is about to publish. Thanks her for reply to request to sign a petition to the king to move the suffragette prisoners from the second to the first division, which Mrs Fawcett declined to do.

269. From Alice Stone Blackwell of The Woman’s Journal, Boston, USA.
12 February 1909
Thinks the militants are doing some good, even if individuals are making mistakes. Wishes American women were half as enthusiastic.

270. 22 February 1909
Draft letter from Mrs Fawcett to Miss Blackwell condemning strongly the action of the WSPU on 30 June and their attempt to storm Parliament in October. “I considered it an immoral and dastardly thing to do. The House of Commons, with all its faults, stands for order against anarchy for justice against mere brutality”. “The crimes committed in Ireland by Home Rulers stopped Home Rule and if Women Suffragists embark on crime as propaganda they will stop Women’s Suffrage.” Developments are expected over a paper soon.

271. Letter from Henry Dobson of Hobart, Tasmania.
8 March 1909
Regrets he cannot address the International Woman Suffrage Alliance on 28 April. Thinks they should adopt a fighting political platform to show the public the kind of legislation women would support if enfranchised.

272-274 Letters to and from Randall [Thomas Davidson], Archbishop of Canterbury.

272. 8 March 1909
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for sending him information on voting qualifications.

273. No date
Draft from Mrs Fawcett for sending him information on voting qualifications.

273. No date
Draft from Mrs Fawcett to the Archbishop. Sends return of total number of elections in the UK on the existing register. Her niece, who is an ardent suffragist and inclined to sympathise with the militants, points out that the ladies, who were reported to have gained admittance to the Ladies Gallery by lying, denied it on oath and MPs supported their assertions.

274. 11 March 1909
Thanks her for 273 above.

275. Letter from CC Osler of the Birmingham and Midland Society for Women’s Suffrage.
12 March [1909 ?]
Asks if there is to be no Franchise Bill this Session but that “wretched red herring of Mr Howard’s”, which will only split the ranks and give Mr Asquith and excuse for evading his pledge.

276. Letter from M Taylor of Wark on Tyne.
12 March [1909?]
Looks to Mrs Fawcett as head of the suffrage movement even though she herself belongs to the WSPU. Doesn’t think it matters which Society one belongs to. WSPU meetings have literature of other Societies so that people may join whichever suits them. Cannot understand Sir Charles McLaren backing Mr Howard’s Adult Suffrage Bill.

277. 13 March 1909
Typed letter from Mrs Fawcett to newspapers against Hon. Geoffrey Howard’s Bill.

278. Letter from Bertrand Russell of Oxford.
15 March 1909
Will not resign from the Executive. The difference does not seem small between regretting the introduction of Howard’s Bill and opposing it.

279. Letter from F W Stowell of London.
15 March [1909?]
Thinks if a compromise of Mr Dickinson’s Bill No 2 were offered by the Liberals the NUWSs ought to accept it.

280. Letter from Walter SB McLaren.
15 March
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her article in the Daily News. Miss Corbett has told him of the difference of opinion on the Committee.

281. Letter from Edith Castlereagh of London.
24 March 1909
They must persuade Unionists that it is in their interests to help the suffragists.

282. Letter from Randall [T Davidson], Archbishop of Canterbury
29 March 1909
Regards Mrs Fawcett as the soul of discretion.

283. Letter from Ethel Snowden of London.
18 September 1909
Thinks that members of the Executive should not take part in political party activities. The President of the Birmingham Society was on the platform at Mr Asquith’s meeting at which Birmingham women were indiscriminately excluded. She is having a wordy duel with the Pankhursts on the stone throwing methods, but fears she will have little effect.

284-287. Letters to and from Helen B Dowson of Nottingham

284-285 19 October [1909]
Could not carry on the society in Nottingham without the people who would resign over a too strong condemnation of the WSPU. Encloses with her own letter a letter to herself from Mrs Mary Thorpe, a former member of the WSP dated 9 October.

286. 15 October 1909
Reply from Mrs Fawcett
Does not agree that the recent outbreak of almost criminal violence by the WSPU is caused by a few excitable members getting out of hand. It is obviously premeditated and arranged and will get more violent. Then it will lose support. It is essential for the NUWSS to show they stand for peaceful persuasion. Criticises the government for releasing Lady C Lytton and Mrs Brailsford because they have influential relations.

287. 21 October 1909
Reply from Helena B Dowson thanking Mrs Fawcett for above.

288. From Margaret Ashton of Withington.
28 October 1909
About a successful debate with anti-suffragists at which they sold 1,000 Common Causes. Next day the office was full of people wanting to see Florence Nightingale’s signature.

289. Letter from Clara E Collet of London.
3 December 1909
Suggests that those adopting unconstitutional methods should cease to be members of the Society. Does not like the way attempts are being made to govern the London Society from outside.

290. Letter from Fanny W Currey (page 2 only).
27 January 1910
About a rowdy election meeting.

291-293 Letters from Henry Noel Brailsford of Hampstead.

291. 18 January [1910]
Thinks they should form a Conciliation Committee for Women’s Suffrage, consisting of men and women.

292. 25 January
Explains his ideas further. The conciliation he aims at is between suffragists and the Government, not between militant and non-militants. He will try to form a Men’s Committee in friendly touch with the Men’s League.

293. 28 February
Lord Lytton has accepted presidency of the Conciliation Committee. The MPs wish to act alone among the various parties, and collect signatures from backbenchers to a memorial asking for time for the Sex Disabilities Bill. The pro-suffrage MPs are 400-440, the declared antis 70. Of 120 adults only 40 have declared themselves opposed to anything less than adult suffrage. However, the support of the Liberals is lacking and necessary.

294. Letter from Ethel Bentham of London to Mr McLaren.
8 March 19190
Fears the NU is drifting on to the rocks and will break up from sheer stupidity just as it ought to be ready for the last successful fight. Criticises various members.

295. Letter from Walter S B McLaren.
12 March 1910
Sends 294 above and gives his opinions on the same.

296. Notes by Mrs Fawcett on the Secretaryship.

297. 13 March 1910
Reply from Mrs Fawcett.

298. 14 March [1910?]
Reply from McLaren. Is glad Mrs Fawcett thinks his fears are groundless.

299. Letter from —— Reid of London.
15 March 1910
Is glad Mr McLaren will not raise the question [about the Secretaryship] at the Committee.

300-302 Letters to and from Henry Noel Brailsford.

300. 21 March [1910?]
Now have MPs of all parties on the Conciliation Committee. Thinks most of the Liberals would support a Bill on the basis of the municipal qualification.

301. 21 March 1910
Draft reply from Mrs Fawcett. The main disadvantage of the municipal basis is that it is not uniform between London and the country, nor between the three kingdoms.

302. No date
Has some little reason to fear opposition from the Liberal Women.

303. 27 March [1910?]
Asks for a resolution of the NUWSS in support of the Conciliation Committee. Still waiting for A J Balfour to declare himself.

304. No date [1910]
Leaflet on the Conciliation Committee with list of members and text of Bill to be known as “Representation of the People Act 1910”. (printed)

305. 9 April 1910
Copy letter from Edith Dimock, Honorary Secretary of the NUWSS, to H N Brailsford, reporting a resolution of the Executive Committee “that the NU while maintaining its demand for the vote for women on the same terms as it is or may be granted to men would welcome any removal of the sex disability as an instalment of justice.”

306. 27 May [1910?]
Support is coming from all sides, except the Unionist front bench; suggests Mrs Fawcett writes to The Times before Parliament meets. Asks her to reconsider her decision not to take part in the procession of 18 June. A good demonstration would work in their favour in the House.

307. 2 June [1910?]
Her draft letter is all he could wish. Has hopes of success.

308. Letter from Lord Lytton [Sir Victor Alexander George Robert Bulwer Lytton]
3 June 1910
Asks for her help to induce the Government to consider favourably their demand for time.

309. Letter from Mary Arnold-Foster
11 June [1910?]
Thanks her for her letter in today’s Times.

310. Letter from H N Brailsford
20 June 9 [1910?]
Must not allow Asquith to give an adverse decision hastily.
Proposes they only ask for a second reading of Mr Shackleton’s Bill. Not yet ready to risk all on one throw.

311. Letter from Mrs F T Swanwick, editor of The Common Cause.
22 June 1910
So much depends on getting a good vote for the Second Reading and arousing a feeling of indignation in the country if after a favourable decision the Bill is hung up.

312. Letter from Fred Jackson of Haslemere.
25 June 1910
Congratulates Mrs Fawcett on her brilliant letter in The Times. Bernard Shaw sent him his “Press Cuttings” and Lord Roberts an advance copy of his proposed speech in the Lords.

313. Letter from Cecil M Chapman of Roehampton.
26 June 1910
Asks Mrs Fawcett to ask Mr Balfour to receive a deputation from the NUWSS urging the necessity of an early date for discussion of the Bill. If Balfour refuses to press for an early date they should have a Hyde Park demonstration with a dozen platforms to be addressed by members of the Conciliation Committee and other favourable MPs.

314. 29 June 1910
Circular from MPs Fawcett about a meting with Mrs and Miss Pankhurst and Mrs Pethick Lawrence of the WSPU on the possibility of a joint peaceful demonstration of all the chief suffrage societies in support of Mr Shackleton’s Bill. The WSPU would not agree to suspend militant action until after the demonstration unless a date prior to 10 July was fixed by the Government for a second reading of Mr Shackleton’s Bill. Therefore the idea of a joint demonstration with the WSPU was rejected.

315. Letter from H N Brailsford
30 June [1910?]
Has had a full talk with the leaders of the WSPU about the misunderstanding between the two societies. If she could have heard them all doubts of their honesty would have vanished.

316. Letter from Mrs H M Swanswick, editor of The Common Cause. She was glad that the Council had an opportunity of hearing from Mrs Fawcett how the matter lay with the WSPU. None of them could swallow Mrs Lawrence’s letter. Thinks the NUWSS should take a hall for the night of the second reading of the Bill.

317. Letter from Hilda Runciman of Westminster.
10 July 1910
Does not believe the suffrage question plays an important part in the election of MPs.

318. Letter from Julia C Chance of Godalming.
11 July 1910
Gives her opinion of an anti-suffrage letter in The Times by Mrs Humphrey Ward.

319. Letter from Catherine C Osler of Birmingham
24 August 1910
Asks Mrs Fawcett’s opinion on the desirability or otherwise of supporting the Tax Resistance League.

320-322 Letters from Margaret Parkes (Mrs Kineton Parkes) of the Women’s Tax Resistance League.

320. 28 September 1910
Asks Mrs Fawcett’s attitude to tax resistance. In reply Mrs Fawcett says she does not agree that women have no duties to the state.

321. 8 October 1910
Apologises for bothering her with circulars.

322. 14 October 1910
It will be a great satisfaction if the NUWSS ultimately decide to adopt tax resistance.

323. Letter from H N Brailsford
11 November 1910
There may be an election in three weeks. If the Liberals are returned with a bigger majority they will be less inclined than ever to take a limited Bill.

324-334 Letters from Margaret Parkes of the Women’s Tax Resistance League.

324. 21 November 1910
Urges the adoption of tax resistance as soon as possible. Notes of replies 23 and 27 November that the matter would be discussed at the annual meeting in January.

325. 21 November 1910
Circular from NUWSS of resolution for AGM urging tax resistance in the event of no satisfactory assurances being given by the Government on facilities for the Conciliation Bill.

326. 25 November 1910
Some are anxious to resist paying taxes immediately. Others will only do so if 500 others are of the same mind.

327. 29 November 1910
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for explaining the position of the
NUWSS.

328-333 July - November 1910
Leaflets issued by the Tax Resistance League.

334. No date
Newspaper cutting about evasion of income tax by married women.

335. Letter from Henry Noel Brailsford, Honorary Secretary of Conciliation Committee for Woman Suffrage.
3 December 1910
Agrees with Mrs Fawcett’s idea of a Conference. “The Government holds itself free to judge what Bill will meet with the largest support in the House!”.

336. 6 December [1910?]
Copy letter from Mrs Fawcett to “Sir” about the attitude of Mr Martin, MP [MP for St Pancras East] to women’s suffrage.

337. Ante 5 May 1911
Leaflet of the Conciliation Committee for Women Suffrage with list of members and text of “Bill to Confer the Parliamentary Franchise on Women”.

338. Letter from Alfred Lyttleton, MP [for St George’s, Hanover Square].
1 May 1911
It seems best that no one on their Front Bench should speak for or against the Bill. He would prefer waiting another year before bringing the matter before Parliament again.

339. Letter from H N Brailsford, Hon Secretary, Conciliation Committee.
7 May [1911]
Refers to the “superb division on Friday”. Thinks Lloyd George’s provision for maternity in his Insurance Scheme is the best thing done by anyone for women in their generation. Suggests that the NUWSS thanks Lloyd George publicly.

340. Letter from Julia E Kennedy of Morfa Nevin, N Wales.
20 August 1911
“One can’t help feeling anxious about the people who will insist on ‘widening amendments’ knowing that the ‘Antis’ will support them in the hope of wrecking the Bill altogether”.

341. Letter from H N Brailsford, Hon Secretary of the Conciliation Committee for Woman Suffrage.
26 November 1911
Hardly knows how to express himself in decent terms about Lloyd George.

342. [December 1911]
Notes by Mrs Fawcett for interview with Sir Edward Grey.

343. 11 December 1911
Notes by Mrs Fawcett about an interview with Sir Edward Grey. Invited him to Council meeting on 22 February, but he could not give a positive answer. Asked him to support an amendment to the Reform Bill on Norwegian lines - an extension of the principle of household suffrage to the wife of a householder.

344-345. Letters from Maud Selbourne of Liss, Hampshire.

344. 19 December 1911
Suggests printing Sir Edward Grey’s speech as a leaflet.

345. 21 December 1911
Thinks it a good idea to call Sir Edward Grey’s amendment “household suffrage for women”, as people have got used to the phrase “household suffrage”.

346. Letter from Eleanor Cecil [Lady Robert Cecil] of Hatfield House.
24 December 1911
Returns memorandum (343 above). Her husband attaches great importance to Sir Edward Grey moving the amendment, though he is not very keen on the Norwegian plan himself. He hopes suffragists will not pin all their faith on this or any other amendment to the Franchise Bill as he thinks the Government unlikely to last long enough to pass it over the heads of the Lords. The Lords are also unlikely to pass the Conciliation Bill. Lloyd George has turned the suffrage question into a more or less party question.

347-348 Letters from H N Brailsford, Hon Secretary of the Conciliation Committee for Woman Suffrage.

347. 7 January [19120]
Returns note of Mrs Fawcett’s talk with Sir Edward Grey. Wonders how it will be possible to distinguish householders from non-householders. Wonders if a clause making women apply for the vote will be acceptable.

348. 22 January 1912
They must insist that the Government oppose the referendum. Is no longer the person to approach Mrs Pankhurst. She will not tolerate anything short of full sex equality.

349. Letter from KD Courtney of London
22 January 1912
Mr Brailsford has just telephoned about an encounter with Mrs Pankhurst. He says any idea of a conference is out of the question. Mrs Pankhurst called him a traitor and refuses to look at anything short of an equal suffrage Bill for men and women introduced by the Government. The WSPU intend to continue their tactics. C P Scott is coming to London to see Lloyd George.

350-352 Letters from Lady Constance Lytton of Knebworth, Hertfordshire.

350. 6 February 1912
Should not release the Government from their compact, but should press home their full advantage.

351. 6 February 1912
Criticism of Arthur Henderson and the Labour Party’s attitude to women’s suffrage.

352. 22 February 1912
Would like Mrs Fawcett’s interpretation of Lloyd George’s intentions. Does not think Mrs Fawcett should criticise other suffrage societies in public. The WSPU want satisfactory answers from Lloyd George to their questions.

353. Letter from Harold Cox of London.
21 February 1912
Suggests re-wording of the Conciliation Bill to enfranchise every woman whose name is on the local government register.

354. Letter from HN Brailsford Hon Secretary of the Conciliation Committee.
1 March 1912
In view of the disunion that the WSPU has brought about some demonstration of unity from women would be valuable on the eve of the second Reading. Suggests Mrs Fawcett asks Lady Carlisle and Lady Selbourne to join her in a letter to suffragist MPs and to the press a little before 22 March. Hopes to get a joint conference between the Conciliation Committee, and Mr Henderson’s and Mr Dickinson’s groups to unite in a common policy.

355. Letter from Lady Maud Selbourne.
March 1912
Has considered Mr Brailsford’s proposal and suggests a meeting with Lady Carlisle to discuss signing a request to members to pass the Conciliation Bill unchanged and later to support the Grey amendment to the Government’s Reform Bill.

356. Letter from H N Brailsford
2 March [1912]
Thanks Mrs Fawcett for her history. Lady Selbourne may be right in saying Tory MPs would have a shock on seeing her name with those of Lady Carlisle and Mrs Despard, but the shock would be salutary. Hopes to persuade Mr George to let their Bill through before the Reform Bill. Approves Lady Selbourne’s proposal.

357. Letter from KD Courtney of Shawford, Hampshire.
8 April 1912
Must find out when the Reform Bill is to be introduced. Mr Brailsford suggests getting Ramsay MacDonald to ask a question in the house. No amendment to the Reform Bill could be carried if the Irish Party voted against it. Mr Brailsford suggests forming an alliance with the Labour Party. Dr Ethel Williams thinks the same. Philip Snowden says the Labour Party is debarred by its constitution from forming an alliance with any other organisation, but something might be done through the Fabian Women.

358. Draft reply from Mrs Fawcett.
Thinks it essential for the NUWSS to maintain its non-party attitude, but as the Labour Party is the only one to advocate women’s suffrage as part of its policy they should support Labour
candidates at elections, unless opponents are old friends of women’s suffrage.

359. Draft from Mrs Fawcett to Miss Crookenden.
30 March [1915]
Had no intention of causing Miss Eustace to withdraw from contest for Hon Secretaryship on Miss Atkinson’s resignation.

360. Letter from IO Ford
Friday, n.d.
Will send notices to the Leeds papers. Is much involved with her women’s union. The Cutlers’ union will work with it.

361. Letter from L Wright of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
2 November [1915 ?]
Will distribute some of the leaflets sent by Mrs Fawcett to ladies interested in relief and preventive work. The suffrage work is fairly established.

Reel 15

M50/2/2/1-2 Mrs Fawcett’s Own Indexes to Her Letters

1. 1886-1897
2. 1910

M50/2/3/1-2 Notebooks of Analyses of Parliamentary Divisions:

(Alphabetical lists of MPs and how they voted)
1. 1867-1875
2. 1875-1883

M50/2/4/1-27 Notes by Mrs Fawcett for Her Speeches

1. 31 May 1890
Speech on women’s suffrage. “Miss Bakewell”.

2. 9 April 1891
Speech at Rugby on women’s suffrage.

3. 13 April 1891
Speech at Westminster Town Hall on women’s suffrage.

4. 8 May 1891
Speech at Bolton on education.

5. 3 June 1891
Speech to Women’s Liberal Unionist Association against Home Rule.

6. 23 October 1891
Speech at Lewisham on women’s suffrage.

7. 13 November 1891
Speech at Liverpool [Conference of Women Workers].

(see also M50/5/6/2,3)

8. 15 November 1891
Speech at Ancoats on Justice.

9. Speech at Coventry on women’s suffrage.

10. 3 December 1891
Speech on justice and Expediency.

11. 29 January 1892
Speech on Women’s Suffrage Bill at Hammersmith.

12. 23 February 1892
Speech on Women’s Suffrage Bill at Hammersmith.

13. 27 April [1892]
Speech on same.

14. 13 December 1892
Speech on same at Northampton.

15-24 No date
Speeches and parts of speeches on women’s suffrage etc.

25-27 [Post 1902 and Post 1914]
Notes on New Zealand and women’s suffrage.

M50/2/5-21 The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies

M50/2/5/1-4 Correspondence

Answers from the branches of the NUWSS to Mrs Fawcett’s message of 31 January 1913 in Common Cause, bound by Grafton Galleries, 27 February 1913.

1. Aldershot - Folkestone.
2. Gateshead - Ryde, Isle of Wight.
3. St Albans - York and Wales.
4. London and Scotland.

Reel 16

M50/2/6-8 Minutes (Duplicated or printed. Most have alterations and notes by Mrs Fawcett.)

M50/2/6/1-5 Council Minutes

1. 12 November 1914
Duplicated minutes of the Provincial Council Meeting at Wallasey.

2. 4-6 February 1915
Proceedings of Annual Council, February 4th, 5th and 6th 1915, London.

3. 17-19 June 1915
Final Agenda Special and Half Yearly Council Meeting, Thursday June 17th, Friday June 18th and Saturday June 19th, 1915, Birmingham. Alterations and marginal notes by Mrs Fawcett.

4. 17-18 June 1915
Proceedings of same.

5. 23-24 February 1915
Proceedings of Annual Council, February 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 1917 —— London.

M50/2/7/1-22 Executive Committee (draft duplicated minutes)

1. 24 January 1913
2. 27 January 1913 (noon)
3. 27 January 1913 (6 pm)
4. 28 January 1913
5. 15 January 1914
6. 3 August 1914
7. 6 August 1914
8. 4 November 1914
9. 3 December 1914
10. 4 January 1915
11. 18 February 1915
12. 4 March 1915
13. 18 March 1915
14. 18 March 1915 (printed extract re invitation to attend International Congress of Women at the Hague)
15. 15 April 1915
16. 30 April 1915
17. 6 May [1915]
18. 15 July 1915
19. 5 August 1915
20. 1 March 1917
21. 1 November 1917
22. 3 January 1918

M50/2/8/1-2 Election Fighting Fund Committee (draft duplicated minutes with notes by Mrs Fawcett)

1. 14 July 1915
2. 3 August 1915

M50/2/9/1-55 Circulars

1. 3 October 1908
Asking for donations to a guarantee fund of £1,000 to provide accommodation for the Congress of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance, April - May 1909.

2. 29 June 1910
Statement by Mrs Fawcett about meeting of Mrs Fawcett and two other members of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage with Mrs and Miss Pankhurst and Mrs Pethick Lawrence of the WSPU about the possibility of a joint peaceful demonstration on 9 or 23 July.

3. 13 October 1911
Urging lobbying of MPs to support the Conciliation Bill. Enclosed 4 below.

4. 10 August 1911
Circular from Lord Lytton, chairman of the Conciliation Committee for Woman Suffrage to MPs asking for agreement in advance on amendments to be made in Committee.

5. 3 February 1913
About “tax resisting”. Supporting the Election Fighting Fund is more effective.

6. No date
Circular about demonstration, Hyde Park, 26 July 1913.

7. [January 1914]
Explanation by Mrs Fawcett of policy of supporting [G H] Stuart, the Labour candidate in the NW Durham by-election, [31 January 1914] despite his opponent, Aneurin Williams, being a pro-suffragist.

8-9 6 August 1914
Decision of the Executive Committee to suspend political agitation for the duration of the war and place the resources of the society at the disposal of the Mayor for relief work. Suggested schemes of work.

10. August 1914
Draft Syllabus “Women’s Work in Time of War”.

11-51 Material for 1915
NUWSS Executive Council election addresses - attitudes to the war

11. 22 January 1915
Millicent Garrett Fawcett, President.

12-28 No date

12. KD Courtney, Hon Secretary
13. Catherine E Marshall, Parliamentary Hon Secretary
14. Margaret Ashton
15. Evelyn M L Atkinson
16. Alice Clark
17. IO Ford
18. KM Harley
19. Emily M Leaf
20. Edith Palliser
21. Chrystal Macmillan
22. AM Royden
23. MP Stanbury
24. HM Swanwick
25. SJ Tanner
26. L Puller
27. Cary Schuster
28. Edith Dimock
29. S Margery Fry, 24 January 1915
30-31 No date
30. Mary Lowndes
31. IB O’Malley
32. Mrs Mary Stocks, 23 January 1915
33. Rosamund Smith, January 1915

34-36 No date

37. 26 February 1915
Circular sending 38 below.

38. Statement of the attitude of the NUWSS to the War.

39. 26 February 1915
Circular sending 40 below.

40. Memo on Report of the Select Committee on Naval and Military Service (Pensions and Grants). “Mr Deane Streatfield’s memo.”

41. Summary of 40 above.

42. February 1915
Standing Orders of the Executive Committee.

43. 9 March 1915
Circular about the need to maintain the organisation of Society and point out to MPs the connection between the work women are doing in war a