46 206
ON HIS ESCAPE FROM PRISON DURINGTHE BOERWAR
58
●
CHURCHILL, WINSTON S. Autograph Letter Signed, to Ada Hacquoil (“Dear
Madam”), denying that he received any assistance from [Rev. James] Godfrey in his escape
[from the Boer prison that held him in 1899] and approving of Lord Robert’s censure of
Godfrey. 1 page, 8vo, with blank integral leaf; minor scattered soiling, horizontal folds; mat-
ted with four portraits on cigarette cards and framed.
“105 Mount Street” [London], 30 November 1900
[3,500/5,000]
“
Mr. Godfrey, who was the Anglican clergyman in Pretoria, in no way assisted me to escape.
On the contrary he adopted a violent anti-British attitude and in my opinion he thoroughly
deserved Lord Robert’s censure.”
WITH
—
a letter, dated March 12, 1954, on “Prime Minister” stationery, from Churchill’s per-
sonal secretary to Hacquoil stating that “Churchill is not in a position to advise you on the
question you ask him.”
In 1899, Churchill arrived in South Africa to begin reporting on the Boer war as a correspon-
dent for the
Morning Post
; soon after arriving, he was captured by the Boers and imprisoned.
After his legendary escape, he returned to the war as a correspondent and also as a soldier, par-
ticipating in the capture of Pretoria. Churchill recorded his experiences in the book
London to
Ladysmith
, 1900.
Ms. Hacquoil (b. 1861) was a niece of Rev. Godfrey, who was acting-vicar of St. Alban’s
Cathedral in Pretoria.