Manuscript DS as president, signed “Z. Taylor,” one page, 10.75 x 16.5, October 22, 1849. An official letter of state sent to the King of Two Sicilies, Ferdinand II. In full: “I have received the letter which Your Majesty was pleased to address to me on the third of August last, announcing that the Queen, your beloved Consort, had given birth to a Princess, upon whom the name of Maria delle Grazie, Pia, had been bestowed. Your Majesty does but justice to the friendly sentiments of the United States in the conviction you have been pleased to express, that they will participate with Your Majesty, and Your Royal Family, in the satisfaction which this happy event has occasioned; – and I offer Your Majesty my sincere congratulations. And so I recommend Your Majesty and Your Majesty’s family to the protection of the Almighty.” Signed at the conclusion by Taylor and countersigned by Secretary of State John Clayton. Intersecting folds, one through a single letter of signature, a uniform shade of light toning, and light mirroring of ink , otherwise fine condition. Letter also has three small cuts on blank integral second page. Accompanied by the original 9 x 4 transmittal envelope, bearing a complete 2.5 inch embossed seal of the United States on the reverse, addressed in another hand to Ferdinand. Envelope has several cuts to both sides, and uniform toning to front.
Taylor and Clayton lacked much experience in foreign affairs before Taylor assumed the presidency, and was not directly involved in diplomacy or the development of American foreign policies. Even so, he well-enough advised to send ‘official’ congratulations to Ferdinand on the birth of another child. In March 1849, Ferdinand, supported by Tsar Nicholas of Russia and was convinced that the British and the French would not interfere, abolished the parliament in Naples and ordered his forces in Sicily to take the offensive. The devastation that followed led other towns to surrender without a fight. ‘Old Rough and Ready,’ a former military man himself, would die less than nine months later after participating in Independence Day ceremonies at the Washington Monument. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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