An Original Anti Corn Law League Letter in an Unknown Hand toJ G Marshall. Dated 1840. The writers name has been cut from the letter base. The letter reads -Sir, Permit me to send through my warmest acknowledgment to the committee for the honour they have done me requesting my presence at the approaching great demonstration in favour of a reform of Parliament. The principles so allayed and advocated by the law association have always had my humble advocacy and I shall continue unconditionally to give them all my support in my powers; and had it not been my engagements during the next month in the cause of corn law abolition, it will occupy every moment of my liaison, it would have given me great pleasure to accept your invitation. Pray do me the favour to state to the committee the cause which compels me to decline their kind request and have the honour to be ???? Yours my ???? ????. The Anti-Corn Law League was a successful political movement in Great Britain aimed at the abolition of the unpopular Corn Laws, which protected landowners’ interests by levying taxes on imported wheat, thus raising the price of bread at a time when factory-owners were trying to cut wages. The League was a middle-class nationwide organisation that held many well-attended rallies on the premise that a crusade was needed to convince parliament to repeal the corn laws. Its long-term goals included the removal of feudal privileges, which it denounced as impeding progress, lowering economic well-being, and restricting freedom. The League played little role in the final act in 1846 when Sir Robert Peel led the successful battle for repeal. However, its experience provided a model that was widely adopted in Britain and other democratic nations to demonstrate the organisation of a political pressure group with the popular base. Size is 200mm x 118mm. Condition is good. Light folding creases.