Description:

King George IV of England
London, England, April 15, 1815
George IV DS Re: Treaty of Vienna, 1 Month After Napoleon's Escape from Exile
DS

A warrant to affix the Great Seal and additions for the Congress of Vienna signed by Prince Regent George IV. 2pp bound with 11 pages marked "Copy", measuring 8" x 12.5", Carlton House, London, dated April 15, 1815. Signed "George PR" at the top of the first page. Addressed to John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon, Chancellor of Great Britain. The document is a "Warrant for affixing the Great Seal to the Ratification of a Treaty of Union and Concert between His Majesty and the King of Prussia - and of an additional and separate article thereunto annexed." With a royal paper and wax seal affixed to the left margin. Bound with a copy of the treaty and a separate article, written in French. With flattened folds and minor creasing. Faint toning at edges. Boldly signed. Overall very fine.

Reading in part:
"Our Will and Pleasure is, that you forthwith cause the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to be affixed to an Instrument bearing date with these Presents (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed) containing Our Ratification, in the Name and on the Behalf of His Majesty, of a Treaty of Union and Concert between His Majesty and His Good Brother The King of Prussia, and of an Additional and Separate Article thereunto annexed, concluded and signed at Vienna on the Twenty-Fifth Day of March, Ultimo, by the Plenipotentiaries of His Majesty and of His said Good Brother duly and respectively authorized for that purpose. And for so doing this shall be your Warrant."

Napoleon's rejection in March, 1814 of the Treaty of Chaumont, letting France retain her 1791 borders in return for a general cease-fire, signaled the failure of a negotiated settlement with the Sixth Coalition and strengthened the allies' resolve to ensure the Emperor's defeat. Napoleon finally abdicated on April 6, 1814, and the first Treaty of Paris formally ended hostilities on May 30th. Despite some disagreements among the victors, the Congress of Vienna began to formulate a structure of post-Napoleonic Europe. These meetings were interrupted, however, by Napoleon's escape from exile in March, 1815.

On March 25, 1815, the allies signed a Treaty of Alliance and pledged to "maintain in all their Integrity the conditions" of the Treaty of Parris and "stipulations agreed to and signed at the Congress of Vienna" against "Napoleon's schemes." The additional and separate article referred to in the above warrant concerned Great Britain's responsibility for supplying troops for the common effort.

King George IV of England (1762-1830) was the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte who, before his ascension to the throne in 1820, was serving as Prince Regent on behalf of his father due to a rapid deterioration in his mental health. Although a volatile monarch, his choice of cabinet helped conclude the Napoleonic Wars.

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: 8" x 12.5"
  • Medium: DS

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