HENRY BENEDICT (Cardinal York, 1725-1807, Archbishop, the Jacobite Henry IX, 2nd son of James III, the Old Pretender, brother of Bonnie Prince Charlie)

Fine letter in French signed with autograph subscription "De Votre Majesté le bon frère et Cousin", sending "the most ardent wishes for the renewal of the year we reach, and I form them in the feelings of the greatest gratitude for all the kindness by which You honour me. I pray that God will fill your Majesty with all the blessings. He will never multiply them to You as much as I wish ...", 1 side folio with original envelope, Frascati, 16th December

Presumably he is writing to Ferdinand I (1751-1825), who was the King of the Two Sicilies from 1816, after his restoration following victory in the Napoleonic Wars. Before that he had been, since 1759, Ferdinand IV of the Kingdom of Naples and Ferdinand III of the Kingdom of Sicily. He was also King of Gozo. He was deposed twice from the throne of Naples: once by the revolutionary Parthenopean Republic for six months in 1799 and again by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805.

À Monsieur mon frère et cousin
Le Roi des deux Siciles
16 dec 1791
Monsieur Mon Frère et Cousin.
Je dois à votre Majesté les vœux les plus ardents en ce renouvellement d'année où nous touchons, et je les forme dans les sentiments de la plus vive reconnaissance pour toutes les bontés dont Elle veut bien m'honorer. Je prie Dieu qu'il comble Votre Majesté de toutes les bénédictions. Il ne les multipliera jamais sur Elle aussi abondamment que je le désire. J'ai l'honneur d'être avec le plus parfait et le plus respectueux attachement Monsieur Mon Frère et Cousin.
À Frascati ce 16 décembre 1791
De Votre Majesté
Le bon frère et cousin
Henry Cardinal

To my brother and cousin
The King of the two Sicilies
Dec 16, 1791
Sir My Brother and Cousin.
I owe your majesty the most ardent wishes for the renewal of the year we reach, and I form them in the feelings of the greatest gratitude for all the kindness by which You honour me. I pray that God will fill your Majesty with all the blessings. He will never multiply them to You as much as I wish. I have the honor to be with the most perfect and the most respectful attachment, Sir My Brother and Cousin.
In Frascati on December, 16th 1791
The good brother and cousin of Your Majesty
Henry Cardinal


Item Date:  1790

Stock No:  40037