[Sir William Molesworth, Radical politician and journalist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Molesworth') to 'Merivale' [i.e. Herman Merivale] of the Colonial Office, about a report on 'exploring Central Africa' and other matters.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded once. Endorsed on reverse of second leaf. At the time of writing Molesworth was serving as First Commissioner of Works in Lord Aberdeen's coalition government. (In the year of his death Aberdeen would appoint him Colonial Secretary.) The letter begins: 'My dear Merivale | Last November I moved for the enclosed return and since then I have spoken to ]Pal?] [i.e. Viscount Palmerston?] about it who promised that it should be made. Do you know any thing about it?' Molesworth asks when the return will be ready, and whether Merivale, author of "Lectures on Colonization and Colonies" (1841), has, 'in the Library of the Colonial Office, a Report by Dr Andrew Smith [see Wikipedia] of the expedition for exploring Central Africa from the Cape of Good Hope in 1834. It was published in Cape Town.' He asks Merivale to send the work to him if it is there, and he asks him to ask the Duke of Newcastle to let him 'had [sic] again the last despatches from Sir G. Clerk about the Orange [Sovereignty?]'