KINGSTON DUCHESS OF: (1721-1788) Elizabeth Chudleigh,

KINGSTON DUCHESS OF: (1721-1788) Elizabeth Chudleigh, Duchess of Kingston-upon-Hull, also known as Elizabeth Pierrepont or Countess of Bristol. Chudleigh had a controversial life due to her marriages and to her relationships with Royalty and Aristocracy members, she was accused and taken to court with charges of bigamy. Rare L.S., La Duchesse de Kingston, Countess of Worth, three pages, 4to, Paris, 19th June 1787, to Monsieur le Baron [Alcide Beauchêne], in French. The Countess sends to her correspondent a lengthy letter, asking him to forward her request to the King. The request refers to the land property she had recently purchased to her correspondent, and her wish of changing the name of this land, stating `..I beg you to permit that the land I have acquired is named with my family name. A family which has carried the name of Chudleigh in England since the Saxons conquered the island…´ further referring to her merits, and explaining that `I have given instructions in order to cultivate hemp from now on and to send it to the poor people in Paris so they can work the hemp rope…I have renounced to the rabbit hunting which is more profitable…I will also create a manufacture of fabrics…this will be a benefit for the government as they will save a large amount of money being paid now abroad to bring these products from foreigner countries.´ Elizabeth Chudleigh insists on her merits, and kindly asks her correspondent to properly explain to the King that `..although I am a foreigner, I am extremely close to this country and to His Majesty, and I have always been so, and wherever I travel I always praise His merits, and this is the reason why I intend to please him and give joy to my heart creating schools in Calais for the children of the poor people and also the rich ones, teaching them how to read and write…´. To the heading, the receiver has added in his hand that the king has approved the change of name of the St. Assise land, the 30th June 1787. With remnants of former seal to the fourth blank page. Area of paper loss at the head of the first page, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £400-600