[ Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, Liberal politician and social reformer. ] Autograph Letter in the third person, as 'Lord Ashley', thanking the editor of The Globe [ John Wilson ] for his support [ to the Mines Act ].

2pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. The subject of the letter is the Mines Act, passed 10 August 1842, which barred women and girls and boys under ten from working down the mines. The letter, which is headed 'private & confidential', reads: 'Lord Ashley cannot refrain from thanking the Editor of the Globe for the friendly & able support to the measure now before Parliament, which he gave in his Paper of last Evening. | Lord Ashley's hope & endeavour have been to disengage these questions from the trammels of party, & he is most grateful to find that the Press opposed to him in politics, regards these matters as of preeminent & national importance'. Note: John Wilson also "a Factory and Poor Law Commissioner, and editor of the Globe and Traveller."