Autograph letter signed by UK Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone dated 1855

GLADSTONE, WILLIAM EWART (1809–1898) UK Prime Minister. Autograph letter signed, to one of his cousins Miss M.H. Gladstone about access to the House of Commons, 12 Downing Street, 29 March 1855.
 
One leaf, written on both sides, 180 × 110 mm. In black ink. Light folds and minor handling wear, trimmed to one side, otherwise in very good, clean condition.
 
Addressed to a female relative (“My dear cousin”, identified as Miss M. H. Gladstone), concerning access to the House of Commons gallery. Gladstone explains that he has “no power to find an order for admitting ladies to hear any debate”, noting that accommodation is extremely limited and “wholly in the power of the Serjeant-at-Arms”, and that even a senior statesman cannot override these institutional restrictions. 
 
Written from 12 Downing Street during the political crisis of the Crimean War, shortly after the fall of the Aberdeen ministry and the accession of Lord Palmerston, Gladstone was still using the Chancellor's office to work from, even though the new administration and chancellor were in post. 
 
The letter, a request from one of Gladstone's family, demonstrated just how restricted access was for women. In 1855, women had no general right of access to the House of Commons and could only attend debates by special order in a restricted and segregated space, coined 'the ventilator gallery'. Admission was controlled by the Serjeant-at-Arms and beyond the authority of senior ministers. This letter is a stark example of this and shows the exclusion in operation, with Gladstone, recently disposed Chancellor, being unable to grant access to a family member.