During the time I have been absent in London, _i.e._, since
Thursday, I find that my political opponents have been
indulging in the same tricks, with the view of prejudicing me
in your eyes, which characterised the anonymous communications
to the _Birmingham Daily Post_.
I allude to a paper which has been sent to the Electors of
the Borough, purporting to be a history of the "Times" Fire
Insurance Company, by which they seek to have it inferred that
I have done some act in connection with that Company which
would damage me in your estimation.
Instead of replying in detail to the _abominable falsehoods_
which are therein contained, I shall content myself by saying--
That I never was Secretary to the "Times" Insurance Company.
That I am still a Director of that Company, which has
amalgamated with the "State" Office.
That I am the largest Shareholder in the Company.
That I am paying calls at the rate of six or seven hundred
pounds every few months.
That I have lent to the Company, at various times, about eight
thousand pounds, most of which is still owing to me.
That for the last two years, we, the Directors, have not
received fees for our weekly attendance, or any other
remuneration for our services.
I may add, that the losses by fire, have, for some years past
been very disastrous to this and all other similar Companies,
and the greatest sufferers by these losses are the Directors,
of whom I am one.
The whole affair is an Electioneering artifice, as appears on
the face of it; and one which I treat with the contempt it
merits.
The fact of neither the writer nor the printer of this
absurd tissue of slanders having dared to give their names,
is sufficient evidence of the utter worthlessness of this
so-called _Cambridge_ effusion.
I am, Gentlemen, Yours faithfully,
H. B. SHERIDAN.
_April 21st, 1859._
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