Autograph letter, one page, 4.5 x 7.25, February 12, 1782. George writes to Lord Stormont. In full: “The two Notes Ld. Stormont has drawn up, and which He means to deliver tomorrow to the Russian Minister are very judicious but one cannot help lamenting at the strange conduct of that Court that can be driving on a system that has neither justice, reason, nor policy for its foundation.” Beautifully triple-cloth-matted and framed with an image of the king to an overall size of 18 x 14. In good condition, with mild overall toning and soiling, staining along right edge (touching several words of the text), and partial separations along folds (tape-reinforced on the reverse). The writing is dark, clear, and legible.
Britain was in the midst of negotiating a peace treaty with her original Thirteen Colonies when she declared war with the Netherlands in 1780. Despite an alliance with Russia, Catherine the Great had informed Dutch officials that Russia would not necessarily guarantee protection of their ships on the high seas under a neutrality agreement. While British ships captured or destroyed Dutch vessels they believed to be trading with Britain's enemies during the Revolutionary War, the king was careful not to provoke Catherine’s wrath, as the actions could have led to an all out war with Russia. Thus, he dispatched Lord Stormont to do what he could to placate her, including considering giving Russia control of the Mediterranean island Minorca. Through it all, King George was leery of any affairs with Russia, here noting his skepticism of the country and its tyranny, a “system that has neither justice, reason, nor policy for its foundation.” Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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