['M. de Wagner' [Jean-Emile de Wagner?], London Chargé d'Affaires of Kingdom of Württemberg.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wagner'), in English, to Sir John Coxe Hippisley, announcing his transfer to Berlin, and reporting on court news of King William I

The letter announces the transfer to Berlin of 'Monsieur de Wagner', London Chargé d'Affaires of the the Kingdom of Württemberg, resident at 42 Alpha Place, Regent's Park. The recipient Sir John Coxe Hippisley, whom George III had described as a 'busy man' and 'grand intriguer', had retired from public life two years previously, but was clearly still involved in diplomatic affairs. 2pp, 4to. Bifolium. Forty-one lines of neatly-written text, addressed to 'Sir J C Hippisley Bart. | Lower Grosvenor Street.' On aged and worn paper, with short closed tears at edges of folds. On paper with two prominent circular watermarks, one a regal eagle with motto 'Gott bewahre sein Reich', the other a portrait of 'Friedrich Wilhelm III Koenig von Preussen'. Wagner begins with 'the most humble and anxious apology' for his late letter, which he hopes to excuse by explaining the 'circumstances': 'Soon after my arrival in Stuttgart, I had the honor to see the King, and to deliver your letters and parcels; I delivered also those to the Queen Dowager [Augusta of Brusnwick, wife of Frederick I, who had died in 1816] in her own hands, as well as to Baron Maucler, who probably has written to you since'. Wagner delayed writing to Hippisley, as Maucler had 'promised me a letter for you'. Wagner was 'received very graciously and promoted to the rank of Councillor of Legation'. A bout of ill health was cured by a two-month tour of Switzerland. 'The King and Queen, as you will have heard, were in Italy, and derived benefit from the baths, tho' as yet without the desired effect for the prospect of the throne' (i.e. no pregnancy). On Wagner's return to Stuttgart, 'the situation as Chargé d'Affaires at Berlin was offered to me, under favorable conditions', which he accepted. The previous holder, Count Mandelsloh, is to be Wagner's 'second successor in London', and will 'present you this himself, and I beg to recommend him to you most particularly, for you will find him worthy in every respect of the kind reception and confidence with which I have been honored by you myself'. He will write to Hippisley 'more at length on another opportunity, when I shall have more leasure [sic]'. In the meantime he presents his respects 'to Lady and to Miss Hippisley as well as to Mr. Hippisley'. He ends with an expression of the 'due sense of gratitude for the kindness you have conferred on me'.