THE VISIT OF THE FUTURE TSAR NICHOLAS I OF RUSSIA TO ENGLAND IN 1817 MELVILLE (Henry Dundas, 1742-1811, Viscount, Statesman)

Fine Letter Signed to Admiral Sir John DUCKWORTH (Sir John Thomas, 1748-1817, K.B., Admiral, from 1813 1st Bart) telling him that "The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia having announced his intention of visiting Plymouth ... The Prince Regent's commands that His Imperial Highness and His Suite may be permitted to inspect the Naval Arsenal at that place. His Imperial Highness expects to arrive at Plymouth about the middle of next week, & he will of course received from you every attention that may be due to his rank ...", 1 side folio, Admiralty, 19th February

Melville was First Lord of the Admiraly from 1812 to 1817.
In January 1815 Admiral Duckworth had been appointed Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth 45 miles from his home, a post considered one of semi-retirement by his successor, Lord Exmouth. However, on 26th June that year it became a centre of attention due to the visit by HMS Bellerophon bearing Napoleon to his final exile, with Duckworth being the last senior British officer to speak with him before his departure on board HMS Northumberland.
Grand Duke Nicholas (1796-1855) became Tsar in 1825. As part of his education he was sent on two voyages, the first an extensive tour of Russia that lasted from May to September in 1816 and a journey to England, where the future emperor spent four months late that same year and early in 1817. In England, he stayed mostly in London, although he travelled to a score of other places. While he did attend the opening of Parliament and in general obtained some knowledge of English politics, his only recorded comments on that score were unfavourable. The future emperor found it much more congenial to examine military and naval centres. On 18th January 1817 the Prince Regent entertained the Grand Duke to an extravagant banquet at the Royal Pavilion. The meal consisted of over 100 dishes prepared by celebrity chef Antonin Careme.

Item Date:  1817

Stock No:  39540      £475

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire