foreign minister of the Duchy of Modena (b. 1763). Autograph letter signed. Modena. 4to. 1¼ pp. on bifolium. With autograph address and seal.
$ 492 / 450 €
(87249/BN57700)
Interesting letter to the Franco-Italian banker Jacques-Gabriel Caccia (d. 1838) in Paris, asking him to send him two French journals covering the August 1815 French legislative election, the first that followed Napoleon's Hundred Days. Munarini recounts that he received, "although with much irregularity", the "Moniteur" and the "Jounal des Debats" before "Napoleon's invasion that entailed such terrible consequences" (transl.). Apparently, no French papers reached Modena in 1815, and Munarini, who was eager to "discover the public opinion, at least so far as it can be discovered through journals", therefore asks Caccia to send him two "public papers" of his choice "without delay".
He also requests that the journals do not "imitate the example of the English, some writing in favour of the minister, some against", but rather wishes for "texts by reasonable writers but of different opinion". - Marquess Giacomo Munarini served as foreign minister to Francis IV, Duke of Modena from 1814 to 1820. - Traces of folds. With a minor tear slightly affecting the text and a tear from breaking the seal. Some browning..
foreign minister of the Duchy of Modena (b. 1763). Autograph letter signed. Modena. 4to. 1 p. on bifolium. In Italian.
$ 383 / 350 €
(87250/BN57701)
Confidential letter to an Italian nobleman, asking him to investigate why a personal letter of Francis IV to an unnamed souvereign, possibly Louis XVIII, has not been answered. Munarini asks the recipient for absolute confidentialty before recounting the matter: "You will remember that I was very concerned last year for fear that a letter might have been mislaid which His Royal Highness wrote to His Majesty, the King in his own hand. After much research, you came to discover that this letter was still in this Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I hoped that it had been given course; but I see with no less surprise than regret how vain my hopes were. I fear there is some mystery hidden in this affair; and we wish for someone who, with all dexterity, and without compromising my good Prince, will try to investigate why His Majesty did not reply to HRH. Was it lacking in some point in etiquette? Could that court perhaps be dissatisfied with ours? The affair, as you see, is delicate; and I desire that you commit nothing to writing, unless it be directed to me. If I have ever wished that the affairs of my sovereign be supported by you, it is in this circumstance, as I am in need of a person of experienced prudence [...] and of sincere and loyal attachment to the excellent Archduke Francesco IV" (transl.). - Marquess Giacomo Munarini served as foreign minister to Francis IV, Duke of Modena from 1814 to 1820. - Well preserved. With minor browning to the margins and two pinholes..