Letter from Bartle Frere, Wimbledon, to Henry Rawlinson, 1871 May 20 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning guests for a dinner and his remarks; saying "I have only just got the Duke of Sutherland's answer. He had been in Scotland & says he will be most happy to dine, if you will promise not to make him speak. This promise I have given, on your behalf, as I had not time to hear from you, before answering - Lord Salisbury & Lord Sligo were both engaged, & Sir Edwin Pearson was the only other guest I have secured;" adding, in a postscript, "I intended to have sent you what I proposed to say, in presenting the Medals; in order that we might not go too much over the same ground. But I was detained all my spare time on Thursday & yesterday reading up Customs Acts, & after all the Com'e did not get through the witness who was before me."