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a handwritten letter written in black ink on a piece of paper
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65 - James MILL (1773–1836), Scottish historian, economist and ph…
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Estimate €600 - €800
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Description
James MILL (1773–1836), Scottish historian, economist and philosopher, father of John Stuart Mill. Autograph letter, Westminster, 25 February 1817, to Jean-Baptiste Say in Paris; 2 pages in-4, address bearing a red wax seal; in English. A fine letter to Jean-Baptiste Say concerning Ricardo. He would have much to say to him, were he able to meet him, and informs him of the work on political economy that David Ricardo has just published [The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, 1817], in which he has taken his research to the point of making significant discoveries: ‘Mr Ricardo is about to publish a work on Political Economy in which he has, I believe, taken his enquiries as far as to make some important discoveries’. Say will find in it some criticism of one or two of his views, but expressed with all the respect to which he is entitled, and which nobody feels more strongly than Ricardo: ‘You will find in it a few criticisms of one or two of your views, but expressed with all the respect to which you are so justly entitled, and which, I am satisfied, nobody feels more strongly than Ricardo’. He recommends to him the son of one of his friends, Mr Wakefield [Arthur Wakefield (1799–1843)], a young naval officer who is coming to France to practise the language; his reluctance to trouble a man whose time is precious was overcome by his friend’s insistence; he believes that in half an hour’s conversation, Say could advise the young man on how to make the most of his time, and introduce him to the company of young ladies, with whom he might go for walks and converse in French. He thanks him for his kindness towards him; he is suffering from a bout of gout and has such a high fever that he can barely see what he is writing…
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About the sale Letters and Autograph Manuscripts – Part I
Auction location
Auction time 10/13/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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