Description:

Arthur Wellesley
London, England, April 2, 1833
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington ALS: "You may rely upon … my doing every thing in my power to maintain the Integrity of the Church of England in Ireland"
ALS
A 1p autograph letter signed by Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) as "Wellington" near the bottom, April 2, 1833, London, England. Inscribed on watermarked laid bifold paper. Expected wear including flattened paper folds, with some minor splits, and a few discretely repaired. Minor even toning. The inner pages and outer leaf are blank. Else near fine. 7.25" x 9.375." Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from H.E. Harris & Co.

Arthur Wellesley wrote a cleric named John A. Russell at Castle Blarney in southwestern Ireland, in full:

"London April 2d. 1833

Sir

I have received your Letter of the 29th March; but the Petition from the Clergy of the Diocese of Ulster has not yet reached my Hands.

You may rely upon my presenting it to the House of Lords; and of my doing every thing in my power to maintain the Integrity of the Church of England in Ireland.

I have the Honor to be Sir

Your must obedient Humble Servant

Wellington

The Revd. - John A. Russell
[illegible]
Castle Blarney
Ireland."

When Wellington wrote this letter, he was in between terms as British premier; he would resume his position as Leader of the House of Lords and Prime Minister 18 months later, in November 1834. Nevertheless, Wellington was still deeply involved in British politics, and had access to the House of Lords through his rights and status as the Duke of Wellington, a title granted in 1814.

The exact context of Wellington's letter is unclear. His discussion of the "Diocese of Ulster" - referring to one of the provinces in northern Ireland - as well as his statement, "You may rely upon my … doing every thing in my power to maintain the Integrity of the Church of England in Ireland" suggests that the letter may relate to the Church Temporalities Act, legislation passed four months later, in mid-August 1833. Under the terms of the Church Temporalities Act, British Parliament undertook a sweeping reorganization of the Church of Ireland which included eliminating about half of the existing archbishoprics and bishoprics; merging existing dioceses; and redistributing sources of church wealth derived from land and tithes.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Provenance: The letter is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from H.E. Harris & Co. (Florence, Alabama) signed by their Chief Philatelist.
  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 9.375"
  • Medium: ALS

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