Josephine Butler to Henry Wilson

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 3JBL/43/03
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 4609
  • Dates of Creation
      3 Jul [1899]
  • Physical Description
      1 item

Scope and Content

Written from Eversley, Bedford Hill, Balham (Mrs de Selincourt's home)

Wants to discuss present situation with him; also to try once more (in the 'Storm Bell') clearly to define their position and to point out how their future path must separate from those who are running so ardently after the new line of action... a good line in itself but quite distinct from direct abolitionism. [She refers here to the craze for Rescue work which actuated societies like the Vigilance Society etc.] 'If I had more strength I feel I could say much to the women tonight [Reference to the Annual Meeting, Exeter Hall, of the LNA] to confirm them, so many seem to need a tonic.

Administrative / Biographical History

3 Jul [1899]

'I feel I could say much to the women tonight to confirm them' Reference to the speech she was going to make to the women at the Annual General Meeting of the LNA that evening.

'I think the same when I look at the Hague. Good will be done there' At the 1st Hague Conference, 1899, a court of arbitration was instituted for the purpose of dealing judicially with such matters in dispute as the powers agreed to submit to it

'Look what Chamberlain and The War Press are trying to hurry us into in South Africa' The South African War started in Oct 1899

'I am wanted for my sister at Berne.' This was Mme Meuricoffre her dearly loved sister with houses at Naples and near Geneva

Biog: Joseph Chamberlain