May 05, 2016 - Sale 2413

Sale 2413 - Lot 66

Price Realized: $ 650
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
LORD NELSON'S BROTHER TO LADY HAMILTON NELSON, WILLIAM. Autograph Letter Signed, 'WmNelson,' to Lady Hamilton, expressing his hope to become Dean of Exeter. 3 pages, 4to, written on a folded sheet; seal tears in terminal leaf repaired with paper (with minor loss to text), a few short closed separations at folds repaired with cello tape, address on terminal page. Hilborough, 13 August 1801

Additional Details

'If London, the Capital & Metropolis of this Great Empire which is herself able, single & alone to keep the rascally French Villains at Bay, cannot afford a subject for a letter 'tis no wonder that such an obscure village as this cannot. Indeed the truth is, there is but one object, both here & there that engrosses our whole thoughts & soul, & him we can for ever dwell upon. Pray God continue to protect & preserve him . . . .
'I was told yesterday by a Person who lately came from Exeter, that Dr. Harward the Dean . . . is lately grown very Infirm. If a vacancy should happen there, it would be a most desirable thing if Mr. Addington would make me Dean of Exeter . . . . [N]ow we have secured the Peerage we have only one thing to ask, & that is my promotion in the Church, handsomely & honourably, such as becomes Lord Nelson's Brother, & Heir app[arent] to the Title . . . .'