Italian politician (1757-1836). Autograph letter signed. N. p. 4to. 2 pp. In Spanish.
$ 1,012 / 950 €
(87238/BN57689)
Highly interesting letter to a Duke, probably of Hungarian origin, touching on a variety of subjects. More personal sections of the letter concern a mutual friend as Gualtieri relates that he "celebrates greatly the recovery of the Marquess" (transl.). This is followed by an outburst about "notes by Nuñez and Serrano" that concerned ongoing negotiations, probably in Turin: "Esto se llama tratar negocios con los pies. Querer aparentar una cosa para hacer otra. Nada de buena fe, nada de arreglo honroso, nada de posible sur remover los obstáculos [...]".
Gualtieri's ire was directed particularly at a person named Madrazo, who is "the same today as he was 41 years ago". He compares Madrazo to "a viper that dies unless it bites three times a day" and a salamander "that lives in the fire". He further asks the recipient about the situation at home: "And the Hungarians? How are you, duke, my friend? That throne!" The letter was probably written during the Italian Revolution of 1831, as Gualtieri speculates: "Venice will fall, Turin will pay or Radetzky will go to Turin". Another political remark concerns the powerlessness of the Pope, probably Gregory XVI, who "will always limp" and cannot control the political course of Italy: "in all ways the matters take different directions". Gualtieri closes with a remark that he will "send two lines to the Fat Dwarf" ("Enano Gordo") and a request to the recipient to keep him informed about the Marquess mentioned above. - Carlo Avarna di Gualtieri was born into an ancient Sicilian noble family of Norman descent. He joined the newly installed court of King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilys in Palermo following his deposition from the Neapolitan throne by Napoleon in 1806. From 1810, Gualtieri presided over the royal treasury. He remained loyal to the King during the de-facto rule of Lord William Bentinck in 1812/13. This loyalty was awarded with the post of the Minister of the Interior (1813-15). From 1831 until his death, Gualtieri served as president of the council of the Kingdom of Sicily. - Bent along the left margin. With an old restoration and minor tears. Somewhat creased..