Letter to Mrs Finch about Lord Nelson's letters, Lady Hamilton and Sir Richard Strachan
1814. No Binding. Hand-written letter, on three sides, with address with postal mark (10 August, 1814) and two wax seals on the fourth side. The letter is from Lady Louisa Strachan, wife of the Naval hero Admiral Sir Richard (Mad Dick, famous for his violent tempers and bad language) Strachan, to Mrs Finch, wife of the parliamentarian the Hon Charles Finch. In the letter, Louisa Strachan says she is enclosing a letter of Lord Nelson, a friend and naval colleague of Sir Richard, that she has found in her writing desk. She notes that she and her husband, have gone to Richmond for the season, taking the recently published letters of Nelson with them. They are vexed by the negative effect of them on Nelson's reputation, noting that they have been published by Lady Hamilton, although she denies it. A transcript of the letter is as follows: To Mrs Finch, The Hon'ble Charles Finch, 17 Hill Street Berkeley Square. Richmond 18th August, Wednesday My dear Mrs Finch We came here yesterday morning, and find the country delightful. I am sorry you are not able to spend a day with us here before you leave Town for the season, but I hope we shall all meet in good health in a few months. I am so sorry I neglected to send you a letter of Lord Nelson's before I left Town, but I found one in my writing desk which I enclose, and hope you will keep it for our sakes - we have brought with us the letters of Lord Nelson's that have just been published. Sir Richard is quite vexed that his friend should be so exposed. Lady Hamilton has evidently published them herself tho' she denies it - I hope when you write to Mrs Wynne you will remember us and I beg her to write to me for I do not know her direction. Sir Richard and myself write in kindest compliments to Mr Finch & your sister & believe me with great regards Yours very Truly L Strachan. Very Good. Item #019637
Price: $1,028.85 NZD