[Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellingon; Prime Minister] Autograph Letter Signed Wellington to Richard [presumably his brother Richard Wellesley] about not being able to improve his [Richard's] official Situation despite being PM]
He defeated Napoleon but can't get his brother an 'official Situation'. Two pages, 4to, black-bordered, fold marks, repair along one fold mark. See image. Text: My dear Richard. I am really very sorry that it is totally out of my Power to hold out any prospect of improving your official position. I have been nearly three years in Officew and I have not had one Office in my Gift; nor do I think that I shall have one for many years; while there are hundreds of Applicants; neither have I in my Power of bri9nging you into Parliament. | I am not the Secretary of State fro Foreign affairs, and if I [?] I must add, that I should find myself under the necessity of [employing?] in the Diplomatic Service of the Country those who have passed their Life in it. | Believe me ever yours most affectionately | Wellington. Apparently unpublished. Note: a. According to Wikipedia On the assumption of office by Wellington, his brother resigned the lord-lieutenancy. He is said to have been deeply hurt by his brother's failure to find a Cabinet position for him (Arthur made the usual excuse that one cannot give a Cabinet seat to everyone who wants one); b. This letter has been extracted from an Album which mainly contained letters to George Meredith or his daughter from distinguished contemporary authors (Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, Henry James etc.). But, as with this letter, the collector (I assume Marie, Meredith's daughter) collected widely.