WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the victor of Waterloo. British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. A very fine A.L.S., Arthur Wellesley, two pages, 4to, Clifford Street, London, 24th May 1806, to Lieutenant Stephens of HMS Fame at Portsmouth. Wellington announces 'I was very uneasy when I read in the newspapers different accounts of your being under examination before the Privy Council, although I was convinced that you had never committed any act, which could subject you to any legal punishment…' and adds that he is concerned that Stephens should have suffered from being detained for the enquiry '& still more so that I cannot give you any hopes that you will be promoted'. He further explains 'I really have no influence with the present Govt. but if your ship should be sent to foreign station you may depend on it that I will use every exertion to procure for you letters of recommendation to the Admiral who will command upon it.' With integral address leaf in Wellington's hand and also signed ('Free, Arthur Wellesley') in the lower left corner. A circular portion of the integral leaf, evidently where the seal was originally affixed, has been cut away. One very small, extremely minor, neat split to a fold, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG

 

HMS Fame was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in October 1805. In November 1808 she joined a squadron lying off Rosas where Captain Lord Cochrane was assisting the Spanish in the defence of Castell de la Trinitat against the invading French army.