Editing Joseph Addison (section)

== Albin Schram letters ==
In 2005, an Austrian banker and collector named [[Albin Schram]] died, and in a file cabinet next to his laundry room a collection of a thousand letters was found, some of them of interest to historians. Two of them were written by Joseph Addison.

The first reported on a debate in the House of Commons about a grant to [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough]], and his heirs, following the [[Battle of Ramillies]]. The letter was written on the day of the debate, probably to [[George Stepney]].

Addison explains that the motion was opposed by Misters Annesley, Ward, Casar, and Sir William Vevian. <blockquote>One said that this was showing no honour to His Grace but to a posterity that he was not concern'd in. Casar ... hoped ye Duke tho he had ben Victorious over the Enemy would not think of being so over a House of Commons: wch was said in pursuance to a Motion made by some of the Craftier sort that would not oppose the proposition directly but turn it off by a Side-Wind pretending that it being a money affaire it should be refer'd to a Committee of the whole House wch in all probability would have defeated the whole affaire....{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}</blockquote>

Following the Duke of Marlborough's successful campaign of 1706, the Duke and George Stepney became the first English regents of the Anglo-Dutch condominium for governing the southern Netherlands. It was Stepney who formally took possession of the principality of Mindelheim in the Duke's name on 26 May, after the Battle of Ramillies. Upon Marlborough's return to London in November, Parliament accepted the Duke's request that a grant of £5,000 'out of ye Post-Office' be made in perpetuity to his heirs.

A second letter, written to Richard Steele, was also found, concerning the ''Tatler'' and other matters.

<blockquote>I very much liked your last paper upon the Courtship that is usually paid to the fair sex. I wish you had reserved the Letter in this days paper concerning Indecencies at Church for an entire piece. It wd have made as good a one as any you have published. Your Reflections upon Almanza are very good.</blockquote> The letter concludes with references to impeachment proceedings against Addison's friend [[Henry Sacheverell]] ("I am much obliged to you for yor Letters relating to Sackeverell"), and the Light House petition: <blockquote>I am something troubled that you have not sent away ye Letters received from Ireland to my Lord Lieutenant, particularly that from Mr Forster [the Attorney General] with the Enclosed petition about the Light House, which I hope will be delivered to the House before my Return.</blockquote>