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Description
[Royalty]
Ferdinand-Philippe d’Orléans (1810–1842) and Pamela, Lady Edward Fitzgerald (1773–1831)
2 letters and a note
Letter from the author, Perpignan, 17 September 1839, Ferdinand-Philippe d’Orléans, Prince Royal and Duke of Orléans, addressed to Antoine Virgile Schneider, Minister of War, 1 page, in-8
I have just received, my dear General, the letter you sent me by courier; and the appointments you were kind enough to enclose with it; and although I have scarcely a few moments to myself during this final glimpse before my embarkation, I do not wish to delay any longer in expressing my full gratitude to you. I shall do my utmost to make good use of the weapons with which you have equipped me; and from Algiers, where I am travelling via Oran, I shall report to you on what I have seen...
Just a few weeks after this letter, in October 1839, the Duke of Orléans, together with Marshal Valée, would lead the historic expedition through the Portes de Fer (a mountain pass in Kabylie), aimed at linking Constantine to Algiers by land. It was the crossing of this pass that prompted Emir Abd el-Kader to relaunch the holy war (the Jihad) against France in November 1839. The eldest son and heir of King Louis-Philippe I (July Monarchy), this young prince, who was very popular with the people and the army, met a tragic death three years later, in 1842, in a carriage accident at Neuilly-sur-Seine.
Letter from the author (L.A.S.), undated, from Pamela, Lady Edward Fitzgerald, addressed to Monsieur de Saint Géniès in Montauban, 1 page, in-8
Sir, if you could wait a few days to pay the 400 francs, as it is from the funds I am due to receive from Mr Laffitte—which are to be sent to Mr Dusturmer in Fontbrune—that I must settle this sum, if he could advance me the money, I would be most grateful; please speak to him about it, I beg you. Please accept the highest regard in which I hold you...
+ L.A., Chambord, 14 August 1825, written by a secretary, 1 page, in-8
As a Christian, and as an Irish Catholic! Lady Edward Fitzgerald has the honour of sending to Monsieur de Molières, for *Les Hellènes*, the sum of twenty francs...
Pamela FitzGerald (c. 1773–1831), née Caroline Stéphanie Félicité Sims, was a figure straight out of a novel. Raised by the famous woman of letters Madame de Genlis, she was most likely the illegitimate daughter of the latter and the Duke of Orléans (Philippe Égalité).
In 1792, she married Lord Edward FitzGerald, one of the principal leaders of the United Irishmen, a republican and revolutionary movement inspired by the French and American revolutions. Lord Edward died heroically in 1798 from wounds sustained during the Irish uprising against the British Crown. Now a widow, Paméla came to embody in Europe the memory of the struggle for Irish freedom, whilst moving in liberal high society.
The signed letter reveals the chronic financial hardship in which Pamela lived for much of her life following her husband’s death and the confiscation of her property. She mentions that she is awaiting funds from Jacques Laffitte (1767–1844), one of France’s wealthiest and most powerful bankers, Governor of the Bank of France and a leading figure in the liberal opposition during the Restoration, who was close to the House of Orléans.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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