Autograph letter signed by W.E. George Russell to a fellow MP dated c1898/99

"THE LIBERAL FORWARDS"
 
RUSSELL, George W. E. (1853-1919). Autograph letter signed to PIRIE, Sir Duncan (1858-1931). 18 Wilton Road, S.W. [7 January 1898/99].
 
Two pages on a single folded sheet, printed letterhead of "The Liberal Forwards", signed "Geo. Russell". One folded sheet, some light creasing from folding and minor wear, otherwise very good.
 
A scarce political letter written by the Liberal politician, journalist and biographer George W. E. Russell, chairman of the short-lived Liberal pressure group "The Liberal Forwards", inviting the recipient, Sir Duncan Vernon Pirie MP, to attend a public meeting at Queen's Hall.
 
Russell writes:
"We are going to have a meeting at Queen's Hall on Thursday 3rd February to protest against the Foreign, Indian, and Colonial policy of the Government. Will you be able to attend?"
 
The Liberal Forwards was established in the closing years of the nineteenth century by Liberal Imperialists seeking to influence the direction of the Liberal Party on questions of foreign affairs, imperial defence and colonial policy. Although the organisation was relatively short-lived, it included a number of prominent Liberal politicians and produced comparatively little surviving printed material, making its headed stationery uncommon.