WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal & British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834.

An interesting A.L.S., Wellington, two pages, 8vo, Stratfield Saye, 14th December 1838 to an unidentifiable Lady [at Farley Hall, Reading]. Wellington states, in full, 'I am much obliged to you for your note of which I return the inclosure (no longer present). I am afraid that matters are not quite so pressing in Jamaica. As the existence of Prisoners depends upon the Negroes being something more than tranquil, I do not feel satisfied with Sir Lionel Smiths statement. I hope that your accounts of your daughter are satisfactory to you. Believe me, ever yours most faithfully….' With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VGSir Lionel Smith (1778-1842) British Diplomat, Colonial Administrator, and Soldier. Governor of Jamaica from 1836-39. Smith left Jamaica in 1839 having run into difficulties with the passing of the Prisons Act and dissolving Jamaica's Assembly. Wellington's dissatisfaction may in part be due to Smith's statement of 8th November 1838 in which he stated 'No House of Assembly can now be found which will acknowledge the authority of Queen, Lords, and Commons to enact laws for Jamaica, or that will be likely to pass just and prudent laws for a large portion of the negro population lately brought to freedom.'Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th century Britain. His defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 put him in the top rank of Britain's military heroes, and he remained Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his death. Wellington served twice as Prime Minister and continued as one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement. In 2002 Wellington was placed fourteenth in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.