Autograph Letter Signed "W. Sidney Smith" to the Prime Minister, the Earl of Liverpool.

Four pages, 4to, fair condition. Smith has put a cross through the first page, suggesting a draft - with no loss or obscuring. He believes he has had proof of Liverpool's goodwill towards him and is emboldened to ask that a protege "be included in the next list of Post Captains". He goes on to make a plea on his own behalf: "my own claims of public distinction in reward for a series of services since 1799 part as commander in chief in the two hemispheres under difficult circumstances ending under my influence & guidance advantageously for the common cause of Europe." He puts himself forward for the "generalcy of marines" when it becomes vacant (to spare them an embarrassment of choices!). He also requests a further pension as a reward fopr his services - to relieve him and the Admiralty of the embarrassment of his "living abroad on a diminished income in strict justice to his creditors." Note: This item was originally part of a massive archive of material acquired by Richard Bentley and made available to John Barrow for his biography of Smith.