RECORD: Darwin, C. R. et al. 1878. Declaration against war [with Russia]. [n.p. offprint]

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 7.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Freeman Bibliographical Database, enter its Identifier here.

This memorial refers to possible intervention in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-8). See Darwin, C. R. et al. 1878. Declaration against war [with Russia]. The Times (1 May): 10. [F2449] and Darwin, C. R. et al. 1878. Lord Salisbury and the declaration against war. London Evening Standard (23 May): 5 [F2482] and Darwin to Gascoyne-Cecil, 3d Marquess of Salisbury [18 May 1878], Correspondence vol. 26, p. 204. This copy is from CUL-DAR209.9.51; the verso was used by Darwin to record "Circumnutation of Cotyledon". As the editors of the Correspondence noted: "CD had been working on movement in cotyledons (seed-leaves) of plants, later published in Movement in plants. Following the decisive Russian victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–8 and the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano, other European states were alarmed by the increase of Russian influence in the region. Britain had threatened to go to war, but a crisis was averted by the convening of the Congress of Berlin in mid-May 1878". Darwin apparently received several of these offprints and sometimes cut them in half and used the versos for note taking about this time (there is another variant with slight differences and fewer signatories, including Darwin's name absent, e.g. CUL-DAR209.8.35 and CUL-DAR209.8.90).

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DECLARATION AGAINST WAR.

"We believe that there has not existed during the past twelve months, and that there does not exist now, any justification whatsoever for a war between Russia and Great Britain, and we should hold our Government guilty of the greatest crime towards this nation should they lead us or allow us to drift into war."
— (Signed) WESTMINSTER, BATH, DUDLEY, SHARFTSBURY, CAMOYS, GIBRALTAR, COLERIDGE.

The following gentlemen will receive the names and addresses of all persons willing to sign this declaration. They will also receive contributions towards the necessary expenses:—

JOSEPH ARCH.

GEORGE ANDERSON, M.P., 13, Longridge Road, Earl's Court Road, S.W.

JACOB BRIGHT, M.P., 61, Onslow Square, S.W.

JOHN VROWNING, 63, Strand

T. BURT, M.P., 2, Markham Square, Chelsea, S.W.

JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P., 30, Wilton Place, S.W.

Rev. H. CROSSKEY, Birmingham.

Rev. R. W. DALE, Birmingham.

CHARLES DARWIN, F.R.S., Down, Beckenham.

Rev. W. DENTON, 22, Westbourne Square, W.

HENRY DUNCKLEY, Manchester.

J. A. FROUDE, M.A., 5, Onslow Gardens, S.W.

Rev. NEWMAN HALL, LL.B.

AUBERON HERBERT, 81, Queen's Gate, S.W.

T. HUGHES, Q.C., 80, Park Street, W.

BURNE JONES, The Grange, North End Road, Fulham.

HUGH MASON, Ashton-under-Lyne.

JOHN MORLEY, Brighton.

SAMUEL MORLEY, M.P.

W. MORRIS, 26, Queen Square, Bloomsbury.

HODGSON PARTT, 8, Lancaster Terrace, North Gate, Regent's Park.

FREDERICK PENNINGTON, M.P., 17, Hyde Park Terrace, W.

HENRY RICHARD, M.P., 22 Bolton Gardens, S.W.

Professor ROLLESTON, Oxford.

PETER RYLANDS, M.P., 78 St. George's Square, S.W.

Hon. C. WOOD, 10, Belgrave Square, S.W.

NAME. ADDRESS. OCCUPATION.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 28 November, 2022