Autograph Letter Signed from 'Chas. Hamilton', informing Henry Dundas that 'Doctor Morris of Parliament Street' has cured three men 'labouring under the same disorder which now afflicts our gracious Sovereign [King George III].

Charles Hamilton (1753-1828), 8th Earl of Haddington [Michael Morris (d.1791) MD; Henry Dundas (1742-1811), 1st Viscount Melville; the madness of King George III; John Sheldon (1752-1808), anatomist]

Published by Without place or date but written during the King's first attack -1789, 1788

About this Item

2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Text complete, on aged paper with a number of closed tears repaired with archival tape. The second leaf of the bifolium, lacking a strip at the top, is docketed 'Dr. Morris of Parliament Street's Success in curing Persons afflicted with Complaints similar to that which His Majesty labours under'. Considering the political content at the end of the letter, the author is probably Charles Hamilton, at the time of writing known by his courtesy title of Lord Binning. Hamilton begins his letter: 'I beg leave to communicate to you that Doctor Morris of Parliament Street, Physician to the Army & of great skill & ability has lately successfully recovered three Persons labouring under the same disorder which now afflicts our gracious Sovereign; viz: Mr. Woolery of Jamaica, Mr. Walker of John Street & lastly the Anatomist Mr. Sheldon whose case in particular he considers to have been exactly parallel to that of His Majesty. [According to his entry in the Oxford DNB, Sheldon had an attack of 'brain fever' in 1788.] Doctor Morris moreover, has repeatedly declared to me that he had not a doubt, with the Almighty's blessing, of restoring the King in a short time'. Morris is 'well known to & in habits of friendship with Mr. Dundas of Richmond'. He ends with by discussing some political matters: 'after several flattering assurances, Mr. Rose at last has declined all together entering the minute promised by Mr. Pitt & [.] unless you have the goodness to speak your self to the Minister on the subject, nothing will be done'. In reporting Morris's death, The Times, 31 May 1791, described him as: late Inspector General and Physician to his Majesty's forces in America.' Munk's Roll states that he was 'elected physician to the Westminster hospital in 1761, and retained his office for thirty years'. It also states, apparently erroneously, that he was a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Seller Inventory # 11448

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Autograph Letter Signed from 'Chas. Hamilton', informing Henry Dundas that 'Doctor Morris of Parliament Street' has cured three men 'labouring under the same disorder which now afflicts our gracious Sovereign [King George III].
• Publisher: Without place or date but written during the King's first attack -1789
• Publication Date: 1788