Description:

Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
Abrantes, Portugal, June 20, 1809
Arthur Wellesley ALS, Great Peninsular War Content Just Before Battle of Talavera, Which Would Earn Wellington His Dukedom!
ALS

A 3pp autograph letter signed by British military commander Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) as "Arthur Wellesley" near the bottom of the second page. June 20, 1809. Abrantes, Portugal. Inscribed on watermarked laid bifold paper. Docketed on the outer leaf. Expected wear including gentle even toning, isolated foxing, and flattened transmittal folds. Else near fine. 4.625" x 7.25." Provenance: Ex-Robert Black, 1968.

This letter dates just two months before Arthur Wellesley's ennoblement on August 26, 1809. It is thus one of the last examples of correspondence signed as "Arthur Wellesley." In his later correspondence, Wellesley signed as "the Duke of Wellington" or "Wellington." Wellesley's new titles (as described in the August 22, 1809 issue of the "London Gazette") were: "the Baron Douro of Wellesley, in the County of Somerset, and Viscount Wellington of Talavera, and of Wellington, in the said County." Wellesley's success on the field of battle during the Peninsular War resulted in his elevation to the Peerage.

The Peninsular War (1807-1814) was a conflict precipitated when Napoleon Bonaparte attacked his former ally Spain in May 1808. For almost the next decade, Napoleon's generals waged a stalemated war against Sixth Coalition forces Britain, Spain, and Portugal.

Wellesley's letter from June 1809 was addressed to one Admiral Beverly from Abrantes, Portugal. Wellesley had sailed for the Iberian Peninsula in April 1809, arriving at Lisbon on April 22, 1809. He and the approximately 19,000 British soldiers under his command stayed at Abrantes, in central Portugal, for about three weeks, from early to late June, 1809. Wellesley then moved his forces towards Placencia and across the Spanish border, joining Spanish General Gregorio Garcia de la Cuesta and his 33,000 troops. French forces withdrew further inland under the combined British-Spanish onslaught. The Battle of Talavera took place on July 27-28, 1809 at Talavera de la Reina, about 75 miles southwest of the capital city of Madrid. The routed French forces retreated under cover of darkness. Wellesley's success brought him more fame and his new title.

Wellesley wrote in part, with original spelling and punctuation:

"Abrantes June 20th 1809

My dear Sir I have received your letters of the 16th & 18th

I'll speak of the foreman respecting the Boats Crew; & if he should not object to it I will send the few down to you immediately.

I am much obliged to you for the account of the attack of the Bridge of St. Pays…

I had directions of Col. Walsh respecting the soldiers arrived from Lyon. I am dear Sir Your's most faithfully Arthur Wellesley

P.S. I have spoken of the foreman reporting the Boat's Crew. He has no objection + said that you if you will prevail upon the fort + send him and the men, from the Arsenal."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 4.625" x 7.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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