Autograph cut slip by Prime Minister George Canning dated 1827

CANNING, George (1770-1827). Prime Minister of the United Kingdom April - August 1827. Autograph note (cut slip), Foreign Office, 2 February 1827.
 
Small rectangular slip (170 × 100 mm), manuscript in ink, the text beginning “Foreign Office / 2nd February 1827 / Mr Canning presents his compliments to Mr Browne Bell and has the honour to…”, the sentence cut off mid-line; laid paper. Unmounted but with old mounting remnants and adhesive staining to the verso; light browning, ink clear and legible; trimmed at foot and right margin with loss of concluding lines. About good.
 
A formal diplomatic courtesy note in the hand of George Canning (1770–1827), written shortly before his brief premiership and in the final year of his life. As Foreign Secretary he habitually issued such notes to officials, publishers, and members of the political and administrative world, and the formulaic opening here is entirely characteristic.