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Londonderrry. 28th March 1916. The Right Honorable A. Birrell K.C M.P.
Chief Secretary for Ireland,
The Castle,
Dublin. Dear Sir, Owing to the sudden death of Sir Malachy
Kelly a vacancy has occurred in the position of
Chief Crown Solicitor for Ireland. I beg to apply for the position. I was admitted
a Solicitor 20 years ago
and have been practising on my own account since
admitted and have built up a successful practise
in Londonderry City and in the Counties of
Donegal and Londonderry and I am fully qualified
to fill the position. I am known to most of the Members of
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Parliament for the North of Ireland including
the Right Honorable the Attorney General and
I am a brother of the late A. L. Horner, M.P.
for South Tyrone. Should you honour me with the appointment
I shall endeavour to discharge the duties in an
impartial and satisfactory manner. I am
Your obedient servant WM Horner
This is a letter from William Horner (1878-1847), a unionist and solicitor based in
Londonderry to Augustine Birrell (1850-1933) the chief secretary of Ireland. Birrell
had support from many leading nationalist and unionist leaders as chief secretary,
but resigned after the Easter Rising. The letter opens with the acknowledgement of
the death of the former chief Crown solicitor, Malachy Kelly (1850-1916), noting the
vacancy for the position. Horner states that he wishes to apply, accounting his history
as a practicing solicitor. He also notes that his brother is Andrew L. Horner (1886-1916)
a recently deceased member of parliament for Tyrone South. Horner also notes that
he is known to most of the members of parliament for the North of Ireland, including
the attorney general.