WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the Victor of Waterloo, 1815. ...

WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the Victor of Waterloo, 1815. British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. A.L.S., Wellington, two pages, 8vo, London, 14^th November 1826, to the Duchess of Riva (?), in French. Wellington writes, in full, ‘J'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer la suite de l'ouvrage de Button (?) que je desire que vous puissiez agreer; et j'espere que les livres sont relies de la meme maniere que ceux que je vous aviez envoye il y a quelque temps. J'espere que vous vous portez bien ainsi que Mons Le Duc de Rivas (?). Je vous prie de lui presenter mes compliments et de me croire toujours Madame la Duchesse votre tres fidele serviteur’ (Translation: ‘I have the honour to send you the continuation of Button’s (?) work which I would like you to accept; and I hope the books are bound in the same way as those I sent you some time ago. I hope you are doing well, also Monsieur Le Duc de Rivas (?). Please present my compliments to him and always consider me, Madame Duchess, your very faithful servant’). With blank integral leaf. Together with an unrelated autograph envelope signed by Wellington, addressed in his hand to the Earl of Jersey and signed (‘W’) with his initial to the lower left corner. With a red wax seal to the verso. A couple of very light, minor stains and a few creases, generally VG, 2

Wellington’s correspondent may have been María de la Encarnación de Cueto y Ortega (1806-1885) Duchess of Rivas, wife of Angel de Saavedra (1791-1865) 3^rd Duke of Rivas. The Duke, a Spanish poet, dramatist and politician, had served as Prime Minister of Spain for one day in July 1854 and was also the Spanish ambassador to Paris and Naples.