The Papers of the Viscounts Melville

Abstract

Melville manuscripts in the William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan are as significant and little known as the man who gave them his name. Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville (1742-1811), was one of the most important statesmen of his time. The Melvilles, father and son, were principal figures during the period 1 775-1 830, one of the most vigorous and constructive eras in England's long history. The era opened with the revolt of the American colonies and the end of Britain's first empire; saw the long Napoleonic Wars, the rise of the second empire abroad, and achievement of industrial leadership at home; and reached its climax in the supremacy of the seas, an empire on which the sun never set, and the beginning of the century-long pax Britannica. The period is the chronological bridge between the island kingdom of old England and the world power of new England. Before its dispersal the collection consisted chiefly of the private and public papers of Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville. Dundas was the intimate friend and colleague of the younger Pitt, and was in turn Home Secretary, president of the Board of Control for India, Secretary of State for War, and First Lord of the Admiralty, besides being for many years treasurer of the Navy and virtually Secretary for Scotland. The second Viscount was private secretary (1794-1801) to his father, president of the Board of Control from 1807 as well as Irish Secretary during most of 1809, and First Lord of the Admiralty for the unprecedented span of 15 years, 1812-27; he refused to serve under Canning but returned to the Admiralty under the Duke of Wellington and retired with him in 1830. Since Henry Dundas had been appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in 1766, the combined political careers of father and son extended over 64 years.