WELLINGTON (Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, Field Marshal & Statesman)

Important Autograph Letter to "My dear Duke", the Duke of BUCKINGHAMmarked "Private and Confidential" (George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1753-1813, Statesman) thanking him for his note about Lord LONDONDERRY(3rd Marquess, Charles William Vane, 1778-1854 Irish Solider in the British Army, Politician and Nobleman) "You must have misunderstood him, or he must have mistold facts to you, of course from forgetfulness. Sir Henry Hardinge the Member for the City of Durham, Secry at War, Lord Castlereagh, Member for the County of Down, Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Stewart, Member for the County of Londonderry, are all I believe satisfied with the support and Assistance which they have received, and in respect to the County of Durham, I rather believe that according to the usual ... Rules, which have been the Rules for a Century, Lord Cleaveland would have much more Reason to complain than Lord Londonderry. The truth is that I have done everything in my Power for Lord Londonderry. I was I believe, the oldest, & the most constant friend of his Brother. I served under him and in concert with him more than any publick man in these times. I was the last person he saw,in his senses, and I rendered to the present Lord as he knows the most important service that it was in the Power of any man to render to another. He has repeatedly told me (particularly last summer I offered Him by the King's Command a seat at the Board of Admiralty for his son Lord Castlereagh which he accepted) that he was a friend of the Govt. You must be as good a judge as I am whether he is so!! I know Lord Londonderry well ... Perhaps, in another case, might seek an explanation, and might say that the King's Service required that the Continuance and support of the Govt should be given only to those who should not vexatiously oppose it. But in this instance I say nothing, I do nothing, Lord Londonderry is a Man who thinks that he ought not to take the course of other men, whether in Publick or in Private Life. He thinks that he ought to oppose the Govt his son being in Office, and his influence and Authority being supported by all that Govt can do in the Counties of Down & Londonderry ... I didn't object but I must say that I cannot go and tell Londonderry that this is all right, that this is the usual way of carrying on the King's Service, or have it understood that such a course could be followed by others ...", 5 sides 4to., London, 15th Julya

As a soldier Londonderry fought in the French Revolutionary Wars, in the suppression of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, and in the Napoleonic wars. He excelled as a cavalry commander on the Iberian Peninsula under John Moore and the Duke of Wellington.
After the end of his active military career, Wellington returned to politics. He was twice British prime minister as part of the Tory party: from 1828 to 1830, and for a little less than a month in 1834. He oversaw the passage of the Catholic Relief Act 1829, but opposed the Reform Act 1832. He continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement and remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death.

Item Date:  1830

Stock No:  40110      £625

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire