[ Field Marshal William Harcourt, 3rd Earl Harcourt. ] Autograph Signature ('Harcourt') to a secretarial letter to 'Mr Simpson', soliciting his vote for Captain Sir Murray Maxwell's candidacy in the Westminster election.

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed with postmarks, on reverse of second leaf, to 'Mr. Simpson, | Clothiere, | St. Martin's Lane | London.' In fair condition, on aged paper. Docketted with Harcourt's dates. The letter reads: 'Sir, | Captain Sir Murray Maxwell having signified his intention of offering himself as a Candidate for Westminster at the ensuing Election; I shall be much obliged to you if you will give him Your Vote upon that occasion.' In the 1818 general election Maxwell (1775-1831) was defeated by less than 400 votes, losing to Sir Samuel Romilly and Sir Francis Burdett. The campaign ruined him financially, and his health was permanently undermined after he was struck in the back in Covent Garden by a paving stone thrown from a mob opposed to his candidacy.