GREY (Charles, 1804-1870, Secretary to Prince Albert 1849-1861 and to Queen Victoria 1861-1870, General from 1865)

Autograph Letter Signed to Colonel William Wylde (1788-1877, of the Royal Artillery), headed 'Private and Confidential', saying his brother Henry, (1802-1894, Secretary at War, 1835-1839, Colonial Secretary 1846-1852, from 1845 3rd Earl Grey), has written "about the Government of Gibraltar", Henry is "very anxious to break through the rule, which has hitherto excluded Generals of your branch of the service from such commands", and has asked Charles "to try & find one ,,, with the good sense & judgement to conduct our intercourse with the Spaniards" and "likely to be efficient in his Military Capacity - for at present I have a notion, it is a mighty slack Garrison", adding "Your Lieutenant Generals will probably be too old - but my brother would nor hesitate about appointing" a really good "Major General ... in spite of Horse Guards - How would Sir R, Gardiner do it?", Henry has not "made up his mind to appoint an Artillery General ... but he wishes to know who are your most efficient men", 3 sides 8vo., Windsor Castle, 11th October

Charles Grey was the second surviving son of the 2nd Earl Grey of Howick, 1764-1845, Prime Minister. Wylde had served in Portugal and Spain in the 1830s, helping Don Pedro and Isabella II. Prince Albert made him his Equerry in 1840, a post exchanged for Groom of the Bedchamber in 1846 as Wylde's Artillery responsibilities grew, but which still allowed Albert to send him on confidential missions to the Peninsular.

Item Date:  1848

Stock No:  54913      £475

             Add to Wish List     Order/Enquire