Scarce letter from Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI to King George I of Britain
143. Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor Letter Signed. Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1711 until his death in 1740, whose death sparked the War of the Austrian Succession. LS in German, signed “Your Majesty’s willing friend, uncle and brother, Carl,” one page both sides, 8 x 12.5, March 16, 1715. Letter to King George I of Great Britain, addressed to “the Serene and Puissant Prince George Louis, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, and also Elector of Hanover, our dear Cousin, Uncle and Brother.” In part (translated): “I have safely received, from the hands of your Majesty’s Lieutenant-General Cadogan, your friendly and cousinly writing of 15 January, and from his mouth been made aware in detail of the reasons which moved your Majesty to send him here. Cadogan will not only relate more fully on delivery hereof, to what extent I have now moved away from my former opinion, and indeed very serious misgivings, as to the matters with which it was concerned, being simply impelled by my consideration and regard for your Majesty, and
54 |
March 8, 2023 | NOTABLES
also my sincere confidence in your right loving disposition, but he will also show how he performed his duties therein (as it is to be hoped) to your Majesty’s complete satisfaction; and in conclusion I have here deservedly and rightly to praise the great zeal and excellent sense, with which Cadogan has skillfully displayed the commission with which he was entrusted, even as he knew how to carry it out.” In fine condition. George I had ascended to the British throne in 1714, retaining his title as Elector of Hanover throughout his reign. In the present letter, Emperor Charles VI refers to William Cadogan, a major general who served as envoy to the Hague from 1714 to 1718. The matters they discussed must have pertained to the 1714 Peace of Rastatt, which ended the War of the Spanish Succession. In the treaty, Charles VI ceded the Spanish Netherlands to Austria and gave up all claim of the Empire to Spain. A highly desirable piece of diplomatic correspondence between two influential European monarchs. Starting Bid $200