Description:

Horatio Nelson
n.p., October 9, 1801
Horatio Nelson ALS "I have to thank you for your good news of the Ratification of the Peace" - It Sets the Stage for the Napoleonic Wars! Hugely Important
ALS

An autographed letter signed by British Naval hero Horatio Nelson to Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge, dated a little over a week after the preliminary signing of the Treaty of Amiens. 1p, measuring 7.25" x 9.25", October 9, 1801. Signed in the lower right at conclusion as "Nelson + Bronte", incorporating part of the honorific title, the Duke of Bronte, bestowed upon him by the Kingdom of Sicily in 1799. Within, Nelson refers to Lutwidge's "good news of the Ratification of the Peace…", which effectively ended the War of the Second Coalition. Exhibits light edge toning and letter folds throughout, with isolated creasing to upper right corner. Beginnings of negligible tearing to upper fold. Scattered handling marks verso. Overall, very good.

Reading in part:

"I have to thank you for your good news of the Ratification of the Peace, and I beg to thank Mrs. Lutwidge for her kind present of game... I cannot get the admiralty to set me free they wish to keep some pounds into pocket. I suppose by keeping me… that I am so ungrateful as not to thank them but we shall all soon adrift…".

The Treaty of Amiens temporarily ended hostilities between France, the Spanish Empire, and the United Kingdom at the end of the War of the Second Coalition. It marked the end of the French Revolutionary Wars and, after a short peace, set the stage for the Napoleonic Wars. Preliminaries were signed in London by the British and French on October 1, 1801, with George III officially bringing an end to all hostilities on October 12th. During this time, Nelson was notably on leave back in England after a bout of ill-health, where he stayed with Sir William and Lady Hamilton. Under the Treaty, Britain agreed to recognize the French Republic, but later broke the fragile peace when it declared war again in May 1803.

Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge (1737-1814) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He had a particular connection with Nelson, who served under him as midshipman during a 1773 expedition to the arctic, and again in 1801 while a captain, when Lutwidge was commander in chief in the Downs.

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: 7.25" x 9.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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