Lot 226
Stuart, James Francis Edward, "The Old Pretender", (1688-1766)
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photography
Auction: 31 August 2016 at 12:00 BST
Description
Autograph letter initialled, Urbino, 13th December 1717, in French to an unnamed recipient referring to his situation in exile, the welcome he has received in Italy which had lessened the terrible inconveniences of the an inevitable distance, saying he need to get himself established and that "your always respectable advice for me made me forsee a long time ago the advantages that would return to me" saying that it is not his fault that he is still not married, saying that he will have learned of the complete freedom of the Comte de Peterbrou (?), then continuing to talk about the nature of his conduct towards the Count and how advice and circumstances prevented him from sorting out a disagreement of some kind, and how the people of Italy are solid and reasonable, and while in Rome he learned of things that were being done on his behalf which humbly touched him, looking forward to receiving news of the addressees family which is so dear to him, talking about the climate, etc., 3pp., minor toning to centrefold, 4to., tipped into a modern matted mount with protective paper sleeve cover
Footnote
Note: Since the death of his father King James II in 1701, James Stuart had been regarded by many as the legitimate King James III, though having spent most of his life in exile, mainly in France. The death of Queen Anne in 1714, and the fact that she had no surviving children, seemed to strengthen his claim, and prompted a Jacobite rising in the following year. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 quashed this idea with France supporting the Hanoverian succession to the English throne. The Prince therefore travelled south into Italy and took refuge with the Pope. As a more permanent residence he moved to the Ducal Palace at Urbino, where the Prince spent his time dreaming of his hoped-for succession to the English throne.