'BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE' WRITES FROM EXILE STUART (Charles Edward, 1720-1788, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', the Young Pretender)

Unsigned Autograph Letter, in French with translation, in his clear rounded hand, to 'Monsieur', the Comte d'Argenson, (Marc Pierre de Voyer de Paulmy, 1696-1764, Secretary of State for War, 1743-1757, under Louis XV), saying he has received his letter, "tomorrow I am thinking of leaving for Avignon" and that "there or elsewhere I will be always ready whenever His Most Christian Majesty desires anything of me", 1 side 8½" x 6½", [Paris], 24th January

For the Prince to depart without taking leave of the King in person was an astonishing breach of etiquette. When he reached the Papal city of Avignon, after a week on icy roads, he revealed to his followers that he was really going to Spain, to get the help to invade England that he was not getting from France. In so doing he was hijacking his brother Henry Benedict, who had proposed to do just that.himself.
The previous September, after 5 months in the heather following Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie was the most famous man in Europe. He took ship with the French from Loch nan Uamh on 20th September (old style) and landed at Roscoff.on10th October (new style). He arrived in Paris to enormous cheering crowds. One of the first to entertain him to supper was the Comte d'Argenson, who had kept abreast of his campaign with frequent reports from the Marquis d'Éguilles. (D'Éguilles. was captured at Culloden but freed after negotiating the surrender of Inverness).
However, the honeymoon lasted only about a fortnight. Charles began demanding help for an invasion of England, which the French refused. They talked only in terms of a small expedition to Scotland. He had no greater luck after going to Madrid and soon had to leave Spain.
The Comte was a notable scholar. Dismissed in 1757 and exiled to his estates, he lived surrounded by savants and philosophes, and entertained thinkers such as Voltaire. The Encyclopedists dedicated their great work to him. He must be distinguished from the Marquis d'Argenson (René Louis, 1694-1757, Foreign Minister 1744-1747), who had been dismissed on 10th January.
For the handwriting, compare BL Egerton 1609 f.33, (the Prince to Comte d'Argenson, 1744 or 1746).
With the small red stamp of the Archives d'Argenson at the University of Poitiers, where the archives were deposited, 1976-1999.

Item Date:  1747

Stock No:  54336      £4250

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire