WILLIAM III (1650-1702)

Letter Signed and Subscribed (“Mon frere / Votre tres affectione frere William R”) to “Mon Frere” [Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, Elector of Cologne], telling him that he is sending the Earl of Galway to explain his intentions and discover his correspondent’s sentiments on the subject [of a proposed anti-French alliance].

1 page 4to in French, Loo, 29 August 1701.                          

A letter written at a crucial moment in the prelude to the War of the Spanish Succession.

Trans: “As I have just arrived in this country, I thought it necessary for the common cause to explain to you my intentions and to know your feelings on this subject. I found it suitable to send you the Earl of Galway, Lieutenant General in my armies, to discuss with you on my behalf, whom you will listen to with favour and can have complete trust in what he tells you in my name, most especially when he assures you of my kind thoughts and sincere friendship . . .”

After a lengthy and difficult period of treaties, secret treaties, alliances, and changed alliances, matters came to a head in November 1701 with the death of the sickly Spanish king, Charles II. France, Austria, England and the United Provinces had proposed a seemingly endless stream of proposals over the years, each trying to protect and enlarge their own territorial interests. Charles himself had named Joseph Frederick of Bavaria, a candidate acceptable to the British and the Dutch, as his successor; however, Joseph Frederick’s death from smallpox two years before Charles threw everything once again into disarray.

The death of James II, deposed king of England, just weeks after this letter, prompted Louis XIV to recognise James’ son, James Edward Stuart, as the rightful king of England, adding to the tension, and when Austrian forces invaded the Duchy of Milan, part of Spain’s Italian territory, France retaliated and the war which was to last for over a dozen years had started.

William III, never on cordial terms with Louis XIV, had spent the years before the outbreak of the war trying to cement an alliance with other European powers to oppose Louis’ expansionist ambitions. In this case, the mission to the Elector of Cologne, at the time an ally of France, failed.

The Earl of Galway, Henri de Ruvigny, was born into a French Huguenot family and had served in the French army. However, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the family emigrated to England. His younger brother served alongside William III in Ireland, and was killed at the Battle of the Boyne.

The letter has been inlaid, and has a minuscule hole at the fold, but is otherwise in very good condition.

Delivery

Autographs can be delivered worldwide. Delivery costs are calculated at the time of order and items will be sent by the most appropriate means, depending on your location and the value of the item. This will usually be by Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK and Royal Mail Tracked outside the UK. 

The current delivery charges are:

• UK:

  Royal Mail Special Delivery £9.00

• Europe:

  Europe Royal Mail Tracked £15.00
  EU customers should note that, following brexit, local VAT and customs duties may apply to their purchases. 

   USA:

• Royal Mail Tracked £25.00

  Rest of the World:

• Rest of the World Tracked £20.00

   

Export Licensing

Customers should be aware that all letters and documents over 50 years old require an export licence, which may delay delivery by anything from one to three weeks. Signed photographs are not subject to export licence regulations, and can be sent immediately.

There is no charge for the export licence and I will take care of the application, the only inconvenience to you will be the delay.

Authenticity

The authenticity of the letters and documents offered is guaranteed.

Payment

Online sales orders

Payments made via the website are processed by Shopify Inc and can be made using Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Telephone sales orders

Items may be purchased by phone. Please contact me using the website Contact Form and I will call you within 48 hours to discuss your requirements. Payment for purchases ordered by phone can be paid upon receipt of the invoice and must be paid within 7 days. Phone orders can be paid by cheque (in pounds sterling only) or bank transfer.

Items will be reserved for one week following the order confirmation and will be dispatched either within 7 days after full payment has been received, or after any required export licenses have been granted.

Returns Policy

Should you be in any way dissatisfied with your purchase, items may be returned within six weeks of delivery and a full refund will be made upon receipt of the returned item. The item must be received by Richmond Autographs in the same condition as when dispatched.  For full details, please read our Terms and Conditions.