[William Latey, QC, jurist and journalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wim Latey') to Clement King Shorter, regarding petitions for a civil list pension for his mother, the widow of editor John Latey.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. A long and detailed letter, beginning: 'The situation is not quite as we thought it. Yesterday I saw Mr. Higgs at Downing Street and he explained to me all the circumstances concerning the consideration of Mrs. Latey's petitions. | The suggestion emanating from him, with the Prime Minister's concurrence, is as follows.' The plan outlined, as Mrs Latey is not eligible for the pension, is for a fund to be established for her, to which 'the Prime Minister would add [...] a sum from Royal Bounty - the whole to be sunk in an annuity for her. | The idea of losing this chance of a subsidy from the State is not a pleasant one, but it would be very distasteful for me and my brothers to appeal to people upon whom we have no shadow of a claim, just because they have been friends or admirers of our Father.' A capital sum of around £300 would only give an annuity of £20 or £30 a year, and he would decline to proceed if this were the case, suggesting that the capital be paid to his mother in installments until he and his brothers are 'able to make her comfortable'., adding: 'I have no doubt the Institute of Journalists and theh Newspaper Press Fund would co-operate, and doubtless the I.L.N. would contribute.' The letter continues for another three paragraphs. William Latey's distinguished career, beginning in journalism and ending at the bar, is outlined in his entry in Who Was Who. For more on John Latey, a leading figure in the world of Victorian journalism and founder of the London Press Club, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. Shorter had succeeded John Lash Latey as editor of the Illustrated London News, and had on occasion worked with his son.