LETTER, ARCHIBALD PAULL BURT TO DUKE OF NEWCASTLE RE PROMOTION TO THE BENCH

Contemporary copy of letter by Archibald Paull Burt to the Duke of Newcastle, Henry Pelham-Clinton, Secretary of State of the Colonies advancing his claims for promotion to the Bench. Dated 20 June 1859.
Comprising two folded sheets of blue paper. Folded in half vertically, with three additional lateral folds:
1976.36a Folded paper writing on four sides contains points 1-6
1976.36b Folded paper writing on 3 sides contains points 7-10
There is a small area of water damage on the front page of a), some marks to the left of the text on several pages where it may have been held in a clipboard or folder, and some grubbiness along the folds, particularly on the final page of b).
Burt wrote this letter only 8 days after Pelham-Clinton re-assumed the position of Secretary of State. He mentions he was in England on vacation and was taking the opportunity to put forward his case for promotion to the Bench. Burt lists his achievements in the public service life of the Leeward Islands including serving as Attorney General in St Kitts for ten years. He mentions being ineligible to take up locally offered positions of advancement - in spite of strong recommendations by persons in authority - because he had practiced law in both St Kitts and Jamaica. He names a number of people who will provide personal references in support of his application for promotion.