JAMES HUDSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/03/1862 - HFSID 142543
Sale Price $150.00
Reg. $180.00
JAMES HUDSON
Writing from Turin, which his efforts had helped make the capital of
a united Italy, the British ambassador offers his US counterpart the use of his
diplomatic courier.
Autograph Letter signed: "James Hudson", 1 page, 7x9, affixed
to an 8½x11¼ sheet (2 surfaces). Turin [Italy], 1862 August 3. To
"G P [George Perkins] Marsh", in full: "Our messenger
starts tonight from my house at 9 o'clock for London. He will carry for you
anything you may wish to send. Only let me have it and I will send it -
now or at any future time. With my best compliments to Mrs. Marsh. Believe me
yours sincerely". James Hudson (1810-1885), a member of King William
IV's household staff, moved to the British Foreign Office after the accession of
Queen Victoria. He served then in a succession of important diplomatic
postings, including the US, the Netherlands and Brazil, before becoming British
Minister to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia in 1852. An admirer of Italy
and an ardent supporter of Italian unification, Hudson often earned the
ire of the Foreign Office by exceeding his instructions in promoting this cause,
and of Queen Victoria for his closeness to Italian liberals, especially
Sardinian Prime Minister Cavour. These efforts were crowned with success in
1861, when Sardinian King Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed King of
Italy. Turin remained Italy's capital until 1865, when the government was
moved in theory to Rome (which it did not yet control) and in reality to
Florence. Hudson was offered another posting that year, but declined, preferring
to remain in Italy, where he headed the Anglo-Italian Bank. Hudson would receive
a succession of royal honors: CB, KCB, GCB. American diplomat, scholar and
linguist George Perkins Marsh (1801-1882) was appointed by President Lincoln
in 1861 as the first US Minister to a united Italy. He served in that post
until his death. Hudson's closeness to Perkins might not have not have been
pleasing to the Foreign Office. Diplomatic recognition of the Confederacy
was under active consideration in London when Hudson wrote this letter, and the
US and Britain had come perilously close to war only six months
before. Two vertical and one horizontal fold. Lightly creased. Lightly worn.
Slightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.
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