Description:

Arthur Wellesley Duke of Wellington
Stratfield Saye House, Hampshire, England, March 6, 1836
Duke of Wellington 2x Signed 3rd Person ALS RE: Dover Harbour Commission Duties
3rd Person ALS

An autograph letter twice signed in the third person by
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), signed the first time as "The Duke of Wellington" on the first line; and signed the second time as "The Duke" on the fifth line. March 6, 1836. Stratfield Saye House, Wellington's home in Hampshire, England since 1817. Inscribed on laid watermarked bifold paper. The ending of one word on the eighth line, beginning "propose" has been discretely rubbed out. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, some with holes, closed tears, or splits. The third page and outer leaf are blank. Isolated mounted traces on the outer leaf. Else very good to near fine. 4.625" x 7.5." Provenance information includes the original printed auction catalogue from December 11, 1911, listing items from the Estate of the late Walter Scadding, Esq., handled by auctioneers Oakley, Fisher & Co. at 1, Park Square West, Regents Park, London, England; see more information below.

The Duke of Wellington wrote this letter to an unidentified correspondent named "Mr. Scaddin" - an ancestor of the owner of the estate later auctioned, viz., "the Late Walter Scadding, Esq."

In full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Mr. Scaddin and has reviewed his Letter.

The Duke is much concerned that being out of town he cannot receive the Deputation which propose to do him the honor of meeting him.

He also regrets that he is engaged on the 16th to receive at dinner at his House in London the Members of the Commission for Dover Harbour.

Stratfield Saye
March 6 1836."

The Duke of Wellington had finished his second term as interim Prime Minister just a few years earlier, in 1834. The letter mentions Wellington's upcoming meeting with "the Members of the Commission for Dover Harbour." This meeting no doubt related to Wellington's long-term duties serving as the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, Constable of Dover Castle, and Chairman of the Dover Harbour Commissioners. A position originally created in the 12th C., the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports oversaw maritime affairs in the five ports of Dover, Romney, Sandwich, Hastings, and Hythe in southeastern England. Wellington held the combined posting of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle between 1829 and 1852. In 1836, Wellington and the Dover Harbour Commissioners were hard at work deciding which infrastructure improvements should be made to convert Dover into a Harbour of Refuge.

Provenance

Includes the original printed auction catalogue from December 11, 1911, listing items from the Estate of the late Walter Scadding, Esq., handled by auctioneers Oakley, Fisher & Co. at 1, Park Square West, Regents Park, London, England. This Wellington letter is listed in the catalogue as Lot 64, "Letter from the Duke of Wellington, dated 6 March, 1836, from Strathfieldsaye," p. 7. With copious pen and pencil annotations, scattered stains, rusted paperclip impressions, etc. 34pp booklet. Accompanied by a 1p autograph manuscript document summarizing the letter.

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 7.5"
  • Medium: 3rd Person ALS

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