Description
Autograph Letter Signed ‘Votre tres affectioné ami, Henri Cardinal’, addressed ‘Monsieur mon Cousin’, about “le jeune Gastaldi”, son of Count Gastaldi, and married into a distinguished Catholic family, who wishes to serve in the army of the Empress of Russia, and who requires the protection and influence of a person of distinction, such as the cardinal’s correspondent. In French. 1 page 9½ x 7 inches, paper strips along edges on verso where formerly inlaid to an album page. A few light stains, but generally in good condition. Rome, 10 June 1767. Rare in autograph. Henry Benedict Stuart (1725-1807), Cardinal, as well as the fourth and final Jacobite heir to publicly claim the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His father was James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender. We have found a reference to John and Charles Gastaldi, sons of Count Gastaldi, Ambassador at the Court of St. James for La République de Gênes, who were educated by the Jesuits at St. Omers and Bruges.